By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 24: The latest cabinet reshuffle, which witnessed the exit of as many as eight sitting ministers, has evinced muted discontent among several sections of politicos and pressure groups. While Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has justified the reshuffle as a step to bring in “balance, inclusivity and fairness”, he himself faced a demand for making way for a Khasi-Jaintia CM.
Following an appeal by the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) to the CM to make way for a Khasi-Jaintia chief minister to restore balance, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Wednesday termed the demand as communal and asked the group not to communalise the recent cabinet reshuffle.
Meghalaya has not had a Khasi-Jaintia chief minister since 2010, when Mukul Sangma succeeded DD Lapang to lead the government in the state. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma took over as CM in March 2018, following the Assembly elections.
“Why should we communalise things,” Tynsong questioned, dismissing the demand.
He pointed out that if someone from West Bengal, Assam or Bangladesh were to become the CM of Meghalaya, he too would oppose it but as long as the CM is an elected MLA from Meghalaya, he did not have any problem.
“I only want to make sure that development and interest of the state is intact,” he said, making it crystal clear that he did not want to become the chief minister.
Tynsong also downplayed the discontentment among those who were dropped from the cabinet, stating that reshuffle is not a new practice and it happens everywhere.
Making it clear that reshuffling the cabinet is the prerogative of the CM, he said, “We do feel sad for those who have become ‘victims’ of the reshuffle but whatever decision was taken by the CM and the party was for the benefit of the state.”
It may be added that HITO had urged the CM to consider relinquishing his post in favour of a Khasi-Jaintia leader, calling it a defining moment that could reshape Conrad K. Sangma’s 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 BB 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.
