2025 IN REVIEW
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 30: The political landscape of Meghalaya witnessed significant changes in 2025, marked by a major Cabinet reshuffle in September where as many as eight senior ministers were dropped, even as the year also saw the rise of the Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) as a strong regional political force.
Four-time Chief Minister and veteran politician, Donwa Dethwelson Lapang, popularly known as DD Lapang, passed away in September. He was 93 and had been battling age-related ailments for a prolonged period.
At the beginning of the year, the growing influence of the VPP was clearly visible across the Khasi Hills region when the party emerged victorious in the election to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), winning 17 of the total 29 seats. The party single-handedly took on the ruling NPP and succeeded in forming the new Executive Council in the KHADC.
For the first time, VPP MDC from Lyngkyrdem–Laitkroh, Shemborlang Rynjah, was elected unopposed as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the KHADC.
However, stability within the party did not last long. In March, the VPP suspended its sitting MLA from North Shillong, Adelbert Nongrum, citing anti-party activities. Along with Nongrum, four other leaders—Snarbor Laloo, Imti Jamir, Wlistone Sohshang and Richinbusiness Marwein—were also suspended on similar grounds.
Subsequently after some months, Shemborlang Rynjah tendered his resignation as CEM, citing health reasons, stepping down less than seven months after being elected unopposed to the post.
The political scene witnessed a massive development with the cabinet reshuffle in which eight senior Ministers—Ampareen Lyngdoh, Comingone Ymbon, Rakkam A. Sangma and Abu Taher Mondal of the NPP; Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla of the UDP; Shakliar Warjri of the HSPDP; and A.L. Hek of the BJP—were dropped from the Cabinet.
They were replaced by Timothy D. Shira, Sanbor Shullai, Metbah Lyngdoh, Wailadmiki Shylla, Sosthenes Sohtun, Brening A. Sangma, Methodius Dkhar and Lahkmen Rymbui.
While the reshuffle issue has since gone into cold storage, signs of discontent continue to simmer among those who were dropped, particularly within the United Democratic Party, with former minister Paul Lyngdoh terming his sacking unethical, unceremonious and undemocratic.
Despite the reshuffle, 2025 ended on a positive note for the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), which rose in strength to secure absolute majority on its own in the Assembly. The party received a massive boost when the last remaining Congress MLA in the Assembly, Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, joined the NPP, leaving the Congress without any representation in the 60-member House.
In November, former UDP leader Lambor Malngiang also joined the NPP in a ceremony attended by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and other senior leaders.
Meanwhile, the Congress party has been making concerted efforts to revive its presence in the state. The party achieved a major breakthrough when Trinamool Congress leader Zenith Sangma rejoined the Congress after nearly four years with the TMC, citing the need to strengthen the party to uphold secularism and fight corruption.
He was followed by his wife, Sadhiarani M. Sangma, the lone woman MDC from the TMC representing the Ding Ding Nakpara constituency in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). She joined the Congress in November along with hundreds of her supporters.
Another significant boost for the Congress came when senior leader John Leslee K. Sangma, former South Tura MLA and UDP leader, joined the party in November—a move seen as a strategic gain for the Congress in the Garo Hills region.
Even UDP lost one of its most vocal leaders when Jemino Mawthoh quit the party citing “personal” reasons due to “unavoidable circumstances”.
Though there are speculations that he would sooner or later join a new party, Mawthoh so far has remained mum on his next move.
The Trinamool Congress, which has remained largely inactive in state politics since the 2023 Assembly elections, continued to maintain a low profile throughout 2025, even as speculation remained rife that senior party leader Mukul M. Sangma may explore other political options, including joining another party or floating a new one.
The BJP, meanwhile, made little impact on the state’s political scene and continued to play the role of an able coalition partner in the NPP-led MDA 2.0 Government, despite continuing to raise allegations of corruption, coal nexus, failed schemes and lack of governance against its ally, NPP.
The TMC and the BJP are now gearing up for the GHADC polls.
While 2025 was marked by major political shifts and speculation, political activity in Meghalaya is expected to intensify further in 2026, with the GHADC elections early next year.
