Shillong, Sep 30: The recent cabinet reshuffle in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government following its completion of two-and-a-half years witnessed induction of eight new ministers, an exercise every stakeholder termed as a “balancing act” by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
Speaking on the matter after the first cabinet meeting after the reshuffle on Tuesday, the chief minister said the cabinet formation process involves balancing different factors, including regional representation and women empowerment.
The government had prioritised the issue of women representation in the cabinet in the first half of the term and had to consider regional aspirations in the second half, he said.
Explaining his limitations of fulfilling all aspirations, he said, “If I have 20 posts of cabinet ministers then yes, I am free and able to accommodate all those aspects but there are limitations. We had to balance out different aspirations, which are equally important.”
“Women representation was important for us, and that is why in the first half of the cabinet, we ensured that we gave the representation there,” he said.
On sharing of positions in the cabinet, Sangma noted that the political situation and circumstances at the time of the coalition formation were different.
Emphasising that democratic process was followed during selection of leadership of the coalition, he said, “A chief minister’s position is something that is democratically elected by the MLAs of the ruling coalition… it was unanimous…”
On recent comments by Ampareen Lyngdoh, one of the eight ministers dropped from the cabinet, Sangma clarified that letters with details of cabinet reshuffle were dispatched to all concerned ministers, including the NPP ministers on September 12.
He confirmed that all ministers had received the letters and were aware of the procedure followed.
“The question of not communicating or not informing does not arise… I did not share the letters with the press and if necessary, we can share that letter also,” he said.
