SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has ruled out any Cabinet reshuffle after the upcoming reassembly of the budget session.
“I have no plan to effect any cabinet reshuffle,” Sangma said over telephone from Delhi on Thursday
Rumours were doing the rounds that axe may fall on Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh, Clement Marak, Ampareen Lyngdoh and Sniawbhalang Dhar.
There were talks of portfolio changes in the Mukul-led ministry soon after the assembly session slated to begin on June 6.
The Chief Minister also discounted reports that a section of independent legislators supporting the Congress-led MUA II government seemed unhappy with Sangma and were initiating moves for a leadership change with the covert support of a few Congress MLAs.
“My ministry is intact. I have not thought of a reshuffle of either ministers or portfolios. I do not see the need for it,” Sangma said.
When asked for his view on the alleged unhappiness of some MLAs with the party’s loss in Tura given the fact that he was confident of a victory, Sangma admitted that complacency and over confidence were among the factors.
“We were over confident I think and a third candidate would perhaps have helped us secure a win. See NOTA polled over 19,000 votes,” Chief Minister pointed out adding, “Obviously when one loses, the feeling of sadness creeps up and you cannot simply go ahead and pretend everything is alright.”