Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said accommodating the BJP’s increased strength in the Meghalaya Cabinet would be difficult, given the limited number of ministerial berths and the existing Cabinet structure.
Sangma, who is also the National People’s Party (NPP) national president, said he had received calls from the BJP seeking some form of accommodation for its legislators after its strength in the Assembly increased from two to 10.
He said the BJP leadership had requested the State Government to explore possible adjustments in view of the party’s expanded numbers.
However, Sangma indicated that there was little scope for immediate changes, as the Cabinet’s composition was already in place.
“When it comes to the Cabinet, we have limited numbers and obviously everything is set, so it’s not so simple for us,” he said.
His remarks come amid questions over the representation of the BJP in the Cabinet following the recent entry of eight former UDP legislators into the party.
The Chief Minister also clarified that Cabinet accommodation had not figured in the discussions when the former UDP MLAs decided to join the BJP.
He said the legislators had taken the decision independently and that the NPP was not involved in the initial discussions leading to their entry into the party.
Sangma said there had been no communication to the NPP suggesting that Cabinet positions were part of the arrangement.
“The discussion of any kind of Cabinet adjustment was not made at that time when the discussions took place,” he said.
He added that it would therefore be incorrect to assume that the legislators had joined the BJP on the understanding that they would be accommodated in the Cabinet.
Despite the constraints, Sangma said the NPP would continue to work with its coalition partners and extend cooperation wherever possible.
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“Wherever and whatever possible from our side, we will always be there to work with our coalition partners,” he said.
The BJP’s rise from two to 10 MLAs following the political realignment has strengthened its position in the ruling alliance, while also bringing its demand for a greater share in the government into focus.
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