Shillong, November 2: West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in the Meghalaya Government on Monday, marking his second induction into the Cabinet under the current government following his recent switch from the United Democratic Party (UDP) to the National People’s Party (NPP).
Governor C.H. Vijayashankar administered the oath of office to Lyngdoh at Lok Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and other dignitaries.
Speaking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, Lyngdoh said he had not demanded any particular portfolio but had agreed to take charge of the Tourism Department following a request from the Chief Minister to ensure continuity in its activities. “The Chief Minister told me he would like to see continuity in various activities in the tourism department, therefore he would like me to opt for this department which I have gladly accepted knowing the challenges that have come up in recent times,” Lyngdoh said.
He said his immediate priority would be to bring the tourism sector back on track while addressing the challenges confronting several tourism projects in the state. “My responsibility is to clearly ensure that we bring tourism back on track and that is something I will accelerate. We need to deal with challenges in a balanced manner — talking to groups but also being firm,” he stated.
Lyngdoh said he would convene meetings with senior officials of the Tourism Department within the next few days to review ongoing activities and projects. He stressed that Meghalaya has enormous potential as a tourism destination and that projects aimed at strengthening the state’s tourism sector should not be compromised.
On concerns over the safety and security of tourists following recent incidents, Lyngdoh said he would reassess existing measures and explore additional steps to ensure the safety of both visitors and residents. He said several measures had been planned during his earlier tenure, but their implementation was affected by the subsequent change in leadership of the department.
Asked whether he would also be allotted the Social Welfare portfolio, Lyngdoh said he had received no indication so far and that the matter would likely become clear by Tuesday. Responding to reports that Metbah Lyngdoh had been asked to resign to make way for his induction, Paul Lyngdoh said he was not aware of the circumstances surrounding the resignation. He maintained that his objective in holding office was to exercise power in a manner that would positively impact the state.
Highlighting his political experience, Lyngdoh said he had won four Assembly elections and had served in the Cabinet six times, including his latest induction. He said his experience, education and familiarity with constitutional provisions, Assembly procedures, traditional practices and the functioning of Autonomous District Councils equipped him to handle administrative and political challenges.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the final decision regarding the allocation of portfolios to the newly inducted Minister would be taken within a day or so. Asked whether Lyngdoh would be assigned the Tourism Department again, Sangma said he had not yet reached a final decision. “I have not come to my final conclusions. As soon as I do that and by tomorrow I expect that you should be able to know about the portfolios,” the Chief Minister said.
On the possibility of further Cabinet expansion, Sangma said no additional inductions were expected under normal circumstances, although he acknowledged that political developments could sometimes be unpredictable. He expressed hope that the present government, with its existing team of Ministers, would complete its term.
The Chief Minister also ruled out accommodating additional legislators in the Cabinet at present, citing the constitutional limit of 12 Ministers in Meghalaya. He said that although more legislators could have been considered if additional Cabinet positions were available, the government was required to function within the prescribed limit. Sangma clarified that it was currently not possible to accommodate any more legislators, whether from the NPP or other political parties.
Paul Lyngdoh’s induction follows the resignation of Metbah Lyngdoh from the Cabinet and comes amid recent political realignments in Meghalaya, including the merger of three former UDP legislators with the NPP.
