Meghalaya Cabinet Reshuffle Looms as Conrad Sangma Plans Major Ministerial Changes

In a significant political manoeuvre that could shape the trajectory of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) 2.0 Government and set the stage for the 2028 Assembly elections, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is preparing to overhaul his cabinet, with at least five ministers facing replacement.

According to a report by The Shillong Times, three National People’s Party (NPP) cabinet ministers are likely to be dropped: Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Comingone Ymbon, and Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal.

Former Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira is tipped to take over the Education portfolio, while either Mendipathar MLA Marthon J Sangma or Dalu MLA Brening A Sangma is expected to replace Mondal. For the Food and Civil Supplies portfolio, NPP’s Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla is a frontrunner, though sources indicate that NPP Rajya Sabha member Wanwei Roy Kharlukhi has voiced opposition to Shylla’s inclusion.

The reshuffle also extends to coalition partners. Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri of the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister Alexander Laloo Hek of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are reportedly set to lose their positions.

Both parties, each with two MLAs, had previously agreed to rotate cabinet berths every two and a half years. BJP’s South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai is likely to replace Hek, while HSPDP’s Mawshynrut MLA Methodius Dkhar is poised to succeed Warjri.

Notably, Warjri was absent from the Assembly’s final day of the Autumn Session on Friday and did not attend office, while Hek, also absent, is said to be in Kolkata for personal reasons.

Speculation is rife that United Democratic Party (UDP) ministers Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla may also face replacement, with UDP MLAs Metbah Lyngdoh (Mairang) and Lahkmen Rymbui (Amlarem) being considered for their portfolios. Unlike the BJP and HSPDP, the UDP, with its 12 MLAs, has no formal agreement on cabinet berth rotation. The party held extensive discussions on Friday, and a final decision is expected at its Parliamentary Party meeting.

The cabinet reshuffle, initially planned for Sunday, has been postponed to Tuesday due to the three-day state mourning announced following the passing of former Chief Minister DD Lapang.