Relinquishing his post in favour of a Khasi-Jaintia leader could reshape his political career: HITO
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 21: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has urged Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to consider relinquishing his post in favour of a Khasi-Jaintia leader, calling it a defining moment that could reshape his political career.
In an open letter on Sunday, HITO president Donbok Dkhar said Sangma, who often speaks of “balance, inclusivity and fairness,” has at his disposal senior colleagues such as Deputy Chief Ministers Sniawbhalang Dhar and Prestone Tynsong, and UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh — all of whom command experience and legitimacy.
“Handing over leadership to one of them would not only reflect your declared belief that everything must be fair but also stand as a statesman-like act in the footsteps of your late father,” Dkhar wrote.
He recalled that in 1988, the late Purno Agitok Sangma — a towering statesman — had agreed to a 50:50 power-sharing arrangement with former chief minister Brington Buhai Lyngdoh. Their decision, he said, was an act of foresight that reshaped Meghalaya’s politics and remains a model of fairness.
“Just as the bold decision of 1988 by PA Sangma and BB Lyngdoh is remembered with reverence, so too would relinquishing the chair in favour of a Khasi-Jaintia leader be seen as a defining moment of your career,” Dkhar added.
The HITO president also took note of the recent cabinet reshuffle, which, Sangma had stated, was based on an understanding with coalition partners to divide ministerial berths across the two halves of the term.
While welcoming the spirit of fairness, Dkhar pointed out that the reshuffle has left Meghalaya’s cabinet without a single woman minister following the exit of Ampareen Lyngdoh. “In a matriarchal society, this absence of women’s representation is ironic. If fairness is truly to be applied in full measure, should it not also extend to the chief minister’s chair?” he asked.
Dkhar argued that just as eight ministers were asked to step aside to accommodate others, the Chief Minister should also consider rotational responsibility.
Currently, leadership in all four top constitutional posts — Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition, Speaker and Deputy Speaker — is held by leaders from the Garo community, he noted.
“This reflects their strength and influence but also highlights the need to ensure proportionate space for the Khasi-Jaintia region. For the second half of the term, the chief ministership should rightly go to a Khasi-Jaintia leader,” Dkhar said.
He further stressed that none of the outgoing ministers was removed for misconduct or inefficiency, but purely to accommodate others.
“By the same reasoning, fairness demands that the chief minister too should not be beyond the principle of rotational responsibility,” he said and urged Sangma to give serious thought on relinquishing his position.
