SHILLONG, OCT 1: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Thursday reshuffled his cabinet by inducting two first-time legislators after dropping two ministers.
The newly inducted ministers include National People’s Party (NPP) legislator from Mawhati, Dasakhiat Lamare and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) legislator from Mawkyrwat, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar.
The swearing in ceremony of the two ministers in the two and half-year-old NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government was held at 5 pm at the banquet hall of Raj Bhavan in Shillong as per existing SOP in light of the Covid-9 pandemic.
The oath of office was administered by the Governor Satya Pal Malik.
Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong, cabinet ministers and leaders of the different coalition partners were present during the swearing in ceremony.
“This was a decision that was taken right at the beginning. All the discussions, the agreements and all conditions that were laid were decided right at the beginning. Therefore, whatever that was done, we stuck to that and that is the result of what is happening today,” the CM said on the induction of new ministers.
He said Dasakhiat and Renikton will be simply replacing the other members – a three-time MLA from Raliang, Comingone Ymbon and Sohiong legislator Samlin Malngiang – who have exited from the cabinet.
The chief minister also categorically denied the claim made by Comingone Ymbon that he was assured that there would be no such changes.
“In the beginning when initially we had a discussion when Comingone had come into the party, yes we had a discussion that if there is a situation, where we are in a position to form the government, he would definitely be in the cabinet but when the numbers came out, we were not able to get sufficient numbers to be able to accommodate. Therefore at that point in time a lot of intense discussion took place and that is when we reached this agreement and this compromise and understanding,” Sangma said.
With regards to the other coalition partners, Sangma however said that there was no discussion in the beginning at his level. “The only two discussion that took place at my level in the beginning of 2018, when we formed the government was with the HSPDP that is between Mr Samlin and Mr Renikton and (from NPP) between Mr Dasakhiat and Mr Coming,” he further added.
The chief minister also announced there will be reshuffling in the portfolios among the other cabinet members. “The list has already gone to the Governor and he has approved it and as I said the notification shall be coming out anytime,” he informed.
Earlier after taking oath as the youngest minister, Dasakhiat expressed his thankfulness to the Chief Minister for giving him the opportunity to serve the state as a cabinet minister.
“I also expressed my gratefulness to Comingone Ymbon for his willingness to pave the way for me to be inducted in the cabinet,” the MLA said, adding he also hoped that the induction of the new faces will further help in strengthening the MDA government.
Dasakhiat, who is also the son of a former Umroi legislator, Ngaitlang Dhar, further assured that he would give his best to serve the state especially due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as Ri Bhoi, a district which according to him requires a lot of attention.
On the other hand, Renikton said that he is glad that after a long wait, this day has finally come true for him to be inducted in the cabinet.
He admitted that his party colleague, Samlin Malngiang had sought time to relieve the minister’s post for completing some pending works.
“It is true that he (Samlin) had asked for more time as he wanted to complete some unfinished works but I have assured him that I will do my best to take it from where he had left and complete all the remaining work,” the Mawkyrwat MLA said.
Notably, the dropped ministers were not present during the oath taking ceremony.
By Our Reporter
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