Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma Reshuffles Cabinet, Inducts 8 New Ministers

SHILLONG– In a dramatic mid-term shake-up, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma of the National People’s Party (NPP) dropped eight ministers and inducted eight new faces into his cabinet as part of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) 2.0 government. The oath-taking took place on September 16 at Raj Bhavan, Shillong, with portfolio allocations announced a day later.

The reshuffle, occurring halfway into the government’s five-year term, is being described as a rotation exercise to meet coalition commitments and accommodate the aspirations of over 50 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.

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Ministers Dropped

Among the outgoing ministers were prominent figures such as Ampareen Lyngdoh (NPP, Health), Paul Lyngdoh (UDP, Law), Abu Taher Mondal (NPP), Rakkam Sangma (NPP), Comingone Ymbon (NPP), Kyrmen Shylla (UDP), Shakliar Warjri (HSPDP), and A.L. Hek (BJP).

New Faces in the Cabinet

Eight MLAs were sworn in by Governor C.H. Vijayashankar on September 16. They include:

• Timothy D. Shira (NPP, former Deputy Speaker)
• Brening A. Sangma (NPP)
• Sosthenes Sohtun (NPP, first-time minister from Jirang)
• Wailadmiki Shylla (NPP)
• Lahkmen Rymbui (UDP, former Home Minister)
• Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP)
• Sanbor Shullai (BJP)
• Methodius Dkhar (HSPDP, from Mawshynrut—its first minister in decades)

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Portfolio Allocations

• CM Sangma retained Cabinet Affairs and Finance, while key departments saw fresh leadership:
• Sanbor Shullai (BJP): Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Arts & Culture, Printing & Stationery, Legal Metrology.
• Methodius Dkhar (HSPDP): Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Labour Employment & Skill Development, Registration & Stamps.
• Education, Power, and Health were reshuffled to improve governance delivery.

Political Reactions

The Congress hit out at the reshuffle, accusing Sangma of sidelining women and “betraying Meghalaya’s matrilineal ethos.” Only men were inducted in the new round. Sangma defended the move as a “necessary reset” to balance coalition partners, regional aspirations, and governance priorities for the second half of his government’s term.

Analysts view the reshuffle as a strategic bid to maintain coalition stability while consolidating NPP’s influence ahead of the 2028 elections.