Shillong, Sept 25: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has refused to comment on a demand for a Khasi Chief Minister, saying the state’s focus should not be community centric but its development.
“I don’t have to react on this because why should we communalise things. I think we should not talk about it, not at all,” Tynsong told reporters while responding to a query on the demand.
Tynsong emphasised that what matters most is ensuring the state’s development and interests are on track.
“As long as we are in Meghalaya, MLA of Meghalaya, I don’t mind who is the chief minister,” he stated while giving a clear message that he does not want to become the chief minister.
“Let our people understand (this). If you say you’re bringing in chief minister maybe from West Bengal or maybe from Bangladesh or Assam… Yes, I am really against it,” he stated.
‘Cabinet reshuffle a normal political process’
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister has termed the recent cabinet reshuffle as a usual political process in order to benefit the state as a whole.
“Reshuffling happens everywhere and every now and then, and everywhere in India. So, it is not a new thing,” Tynsong said while pointing out that the decision to reshuffle the cabinet rests solely with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
“We leave it to the wisdom of the Chief Minister because this is the prerogative of the CM as far as our party NPP is concerned,” he said.
Regarding the coalition partners, Tynsong stated that the NPP respects the decisions made by other parties in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.
“We leave it to the wisdom of their (respective) party, which one they want to drop, which one they want to induct, or which one they want to make a minister,” he added.
While acknowledging that those who were dropped from the cabinet might have “sad and bad feelings,” Tynsong however expressed confidence that the decisions were made for the benefit of the state.
“Whatever decision taken, be it by the party or be it by the Chief Minister, it will be for the benefit of the state as a whole,” he said.
The recent major cabinet reshuffle saw the exit of eight ministers and swearing-in of new inductees.
