Meghalaya CM removes brother as Home Min
Bowing down to massive pressure from his Cabinet colleagues, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, in a total U-turn, has removed the Home portfolio from senior Cabinet minister and his younger brother James Sangma, on a late night development in Shillong on Tuesday.
In a state government notification, it is said that James Sangma will continue as minister of Taxation, Power, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, law, Information and Public Relations. AL Hek has been given the charge of Home (Jail and Passport) along with his existing portfolios like Health and Family Welfare, Arts and Culture. Another senior Cabinet minister, Lahkmen Rymbui has also given the responsibility of Home (Police), Forest and Environment, Border Area Development, Education.
Earlier on Tuesday, state Chief Minister Conrad Sangma clarified that no decision is made over the increasing demand of stripping home portfolio from James Sangma. He, however, indicated that there has been increasing allegations of corruption charges against the minister.
Sources close to the state Cabinet allege that majority of the Cabinet ministers were continuously demanding Chief Minister Conrad Sangma either to strip of the home portfolio or remove James Sangma from the state Cabinet due to his alleged failure to put a brake on the alleged unabated and illegal coal transportation that is being practised in broad daylight in the state.