SHILLONG, July 29: HSPDP president KP Pangniang on Tuesday clarified that the party has not reached any final decision regarding the sharing of its lone Cabinet berth between its two MLAs, amid mounting internal pressure for a ministerial reshuffle.
“Reshuffle of minister from our party, we will sit and discuss and take a final call in the future. As of now, we have not yet settled or finalised it. We need to discuss in this regard,” said Pangniang, effectively dousing speculation of an imminent change while leaving the door open for internal deliberations.
The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), a key ally in the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), currently has only one ministerial representative, Shakliar Warjri, who holds the Sports and Youth Affairs portfolio. However, growing demands from within the party have brought attention to its second MLA, Methodius Dkhar, with many urging that he also be accommodated in the Cabinet.
This internal pressure comes at a time when speculation around a broader Cabinet reshuffle is gaining traction, as the MDA government approaches the halfway point of its term. Apart from the HSPDP, similar expectations are reportedly brewing in other alliance partners, including the BJP, NPP, and UDP, where several MLAs remain without Cabinet portfolios.
While top MDA leaders have so far chosen to remain silent on the matter, political observers believe a reshuffle may be on the cards as early as September. The issue is particularly sensitive in a coalition setup, where balancing representation among partners is crucial to maintaining stability.
For now, Pangniang’s statement signals that the HSPDP will deliberate internally before making any move. But with coalition dynamics shifting and political aspirations rising, pressure on the party to arrive at a decision may only intensify in the coming weeks.
