Meghalaya Cabinet Reshuffle Today: Major Changes Announced

A cabinet reshuffle in Meghalaya is scheduled for Tuesday, with the swearing-in ceremony for new ministers set to take place at Raj Bhavan at 5 PM.

Reports stated that Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar on Monday to submit the list of MLAs slated for induction into the cabinet.

As many as eight current ministers are expected to be replaced. From the National People’s Party (NPP), Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma, and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Comingone Ymbon are likely to be dropped. Their potential replacements include Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun (for Lyngdoh), Resubelpara MLA and former Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira (for Sangma), Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Passah (for Ymbon), and Dalu MLA Brening A. Sangma (for Mondal).

In the United Democratic Party (UDP), ministers Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla are set to step down, paving the way for party president and Mairang MLA Metbah Lyngdoh and Amlarem MLA Lahkmen Rymbui. The decision was finalised during a UDP meeting on Monday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will see senior leader Alexander L. Hek replaced by South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai. Similarly, the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) will replace minister Shakliar Warjri with Mawshynrut MLA Methodius Dkhar. Both the BJP and HSPDP have two MLAs each in the state assembly.

Surprisingly, BJP state president Rikman G Momin stated he had not received any official communication from the Chief Minister regarding the reshuffle. The announcement has sparked widespread discussion, with political analysts and government insiders expressing shock at the names of the ministers likely to be replaced.

Political observers suggest that the NPP’s strategy to bolster its alliance by absorbing members from various parties may have backfired. Despite earlier confidence in creating a strong coalition—potentially even an Opposition-less Assembly—the Chief Minister now faces challenges in accommodating numerous MLAs while balancing the interests of senior cabinet members. Initial plans to drop minister Marcuise N. Marak were reportedly reconsidered.

One outgoing minister, speaking anonymously, expressed surprise at learning of their replacement through media reports rather than official channels. Meanwhile, major parties in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), including the UDP, held meetings to finalise their positions. UDP minister Kyrmen Shylla emphasised that he would respect the decision of the party president regarding the reshuffle.