Our Bureau
SHILLONG, Sep 16: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has defended the removal of eight senior ministers from his cabinet, stating that the decision was taken after deep consultations.
The CM’s justification comes amid a sense of quiet discontent among the outgoing ministers, with Paul Lyngdoh skipping the swearing-in ceremony as Raj Bhavan and Comingone Ymbon speaking about the need to remove all 11 ministers for better representation.
Seeking to allay any fear of rumblings within the MDA following the reshuffle, Sangma stated that there will be some turbulence and ups and downs, but it is important to balance and they are making an effort to balance everything by trying to carry everyone along.
Sangma stated that he had a clear understanding with the MDA constituents in moving forward as per their desires.
“I have stuck to my commitment on the number of (ministerial) berths which were to be given to them, despite the fact that NPP has a majority on its own. I was particular that since we made a commitment to our partners, we would not break it,” he said.
He also said that it was important for NPP with 33 MLAs to give adequate representation to all regions and areas.
“We have four MLAs in North Garo Hills and we felt it appropriate to give representation to the region. It is the same with Ri-Bhoi where we have four out of the five MLAs. There was a strong desire for a representation from Ri-Bhoi district,” he said.
Admitting that it was a challenging task for him, he said some people may feel bad about it but the decision was made following discussions with the leaders and looking at a lot of aspects.
He expressed satisfaction over the rejig. He defended the decision to retain Marcuise Marak, pointing out that the latter is a senior member of NPP who has been there since the time of NCP.
The new portfolios will be sent to the Governor on Tuesday night for his assent. They are likely to be approved by Wednesday morning.
Asked why no woman and non-tribal found representation in the cabinet, Sangma said they were given space in the first half of the government and therefore, others were given an opportunity.
He said the new ministers may have some good qualities as well as drawbacks but he will work together as a team, guided by all the senior ministers.
“I will take a deep interest in ensuring that the ministers perform, that they visit the ground and contribute to the state,” Sangma said.
Earlier, eight ministers — seven new faces and one former minister — were sworn in by Governor Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar at Raj Bhavan.
The first to take the oath was senior NPP leader Timothy D. Shira, who had recently stepped down as Deputy Speaker of the Assembly at the behest of the chief minister. After Shira, Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP), Sanbor Shullai (BJP), Lahkmen Rymbui (UDP), Brening A. Sangma, Sosthenes Sohtun, Wailadmiki Shylla (all from NPP) and Methodius Dkhar (HSPDP) were administered oath of office and secrecy by the Governor.
Majority of the ministers who were dropped from the Cabinet, barring Paul Lyngdoh and Ampareen Lyngdoh, attended the swearing-in ceremony and were seen sitting in the front row along with the chief minister and the Deputy Chief Ministers Sniawbhalang Dhar and Prestone Tynsong.
Paul skipped the ceremony but was seen working in his chamber in the Secretariat till Tuesday evening. Ampareen was in New Delhi attending an agriculture meeting, her last assignment as cabinet minister.
Interestingly, the UDP said it remained united despite the cabinet reshuffle, stating that the decision to share the berth between its ministers was made with due consultation and consent, despite no prior power sharing agreement.
UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh stated that the party remains united and will continue to be so after Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla stepped aside for the UDP president and Lahkmen Rymbui.
Paul Lyngdoh also denied any written or verbal agreement for power sharing on a two and a half-year basis, stating that it was a decision taken by the UDP’s parliamentary party.