Shillong: Speculation is running high in Meghalaya as Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma prepares for a significant shake-up of his council of ministers.
The reshuffle, expected to take place this week, could see at least five ministers dropped from the cabinet.
Those likely to be removed include three members from the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), alongside one each from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP).
Among the NPP names circulating are Ampareen Lyngdoh, the lone woman in the cabinet, Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal, Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma, and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Comingone Ymbon.
The changes will also touch coalition allies. BJP’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Alexander Laloo Hek and HSPDP’s Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri are both expected to step down.
Their replacements are likely to be Sanbor Shullai from the BJP and Methodious Dkhar from the HSPDP, in line with an earlier agreement between the parties to rotate cabinet positions midway through the term.
For the NPP, replacements are already being lined up. Timothy D. Shira, who resigned as Deputy Speaker, is slated to succeed Rakkam Sangma.
Former Congress minister Brening Sangma, now representing Kherapara in West Garo Hills, could take over Mondal’s portfolio.
Gavin Miguel Mylliem—who entered the Assembly on a PDF ticket before merging with the NPP—is being considered to fill Ampareen Lyngdoh’s post, while Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla may be tasked with Ymbon’s responsibilities.
Political observers believe the upcoming reshuffle could redefine the state’s power equation, as key portfolios change hands and coalition dynamics shift.
