Cabinet Reshuffle In Meghalaya, 8 MLAs Sworn In As Ministers
Eight MLAs, including seven new faces, were inducted into the Meghalaya cabinet on Tuesday as Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma effected a reshuffle in his coalition government.
- Date & Time:
- |
- Views: 27
- |
- From: India News Bull
Eight ministers were dropped from the cabinet as part of the reshuffle.
Shillong:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma reshuffled his coalition government in Meghalaya on Tuesday, inducting eight MLAs into the cabinet, including seven new faces.
According to the Chief Minister, the cabinet reshuffle was implemented to ensure balanced regional representation across the state's districts, following the removal of eight ministers.
The newly appointed ministers' portfolios will be announced in due course, the Chief Minister stated.
At a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, NPP's Timothy D Shira, BJP's Shanbor Shullai, and UDP's Metbah Lyngdoh took their oaths of office.
Also inducted into the council of ministers were National People's Party (NPP) members Wailadmiki Shylla, Sostheness Sohtun, and Brening A Sangma, along with Hill State People's Democratic Party's (HSPDP) Methodius Dkhar and former home minister Lahkmen Rymbui from the United Democratic Party (UDP).
The governor administered the oath of office and secrecy to all new ministers.
Lyngdoh previously served as Speaker in the last assembly, while Shira recently resigned as Deputy Speaker earlier this month. Rymbui, who is familiar with cabinet responsibilities, had previously held the position of home minister in the earlier MDA government under Conrad K Sangma's leadership.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the chief minister told reporters that the cabinet reshuffle decision came after "consultations with coalition partners and senior leaders, with emphasis on ensuring balanced regional representation across districts".
The CM added, "Special attention was given to representation from different regions, including Ri-Bhoi and West Garo Hills, to reflect the aspirations of the people." He acknowledged that while cabinet reshuffles are challenging, such measures are "necessary to maintain balance and inclusivity".
The chief minister expressed confidence in the newly sworn-in ministers' potential contributions, adding that senior cabinet members would provide guidance as they assume their responsibilities.
He further emphasized that the mid-term reshuffle offers an opportunity to "reset and strengthen governance as the council of ministers prepares for the next phase of administrative priorities".
Senior leaders, government officials, and family members of the newly inducted ministers attended the swearing-in ceremony.
Prior to the Meghalaya cabinet reshuffle, eight of the twelve ministers had submitted their resignations.
CM Sangma, who leads the NPP-based Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, met with Governor C H Vijayashankar at Raj Bhavan and submitted the ministers' resignations.
"Eight ministers who have resigned from their posts are 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 AL Hek of the BJP," according to an official.
As per regulations, Meghalaya's 60-member assembly cannot have more than 12 ministers, including the Chief Minister.
Of the 12-member cabinet, the NPP had 8 members, UDP 2, and BJP and HSPDP one each. This distribution remains unchanged after the cabinet reshuffle.
Ampareen Lyngdoh previously handled agriculture and law, while Ymbon and Rakkam A Sangma were responsible for cooperation and education, respectively.
Mondal served as power minister, Paul Lyngdoh managed tourism, and Kyrmen Shylla held the revenue and disaster management portfolio.
Shakliar Warjri was in charge of sports and AL Hek oversaw animal husbandry.