The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has issued an open letter to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, urging him to step aside in the second half of the government’s tenure and allow a leader from the Khasi-Jaiñtia region to take charge of the state’s top post. The appeal comes in the wake of the recent cabinet reshuffle, which Conrad described as part of an unwritten understanding reached in 2023 among coalition partners to ensure equitable distribution of ministerial positions midway through the term. While HITO acknowledged this arrangement, it argued that fairness should not be limited to the cabinet alone but must extend to the Chief Minister’s chair.
The organisation pointed to a precedent from 1988 when leaders P.A. Sangma and B.B. Lyngdoh agreed to share the chief ministership equally in a 50:50 power-sharing formula. “If such a bold decision was possible then, it is not impossible today,” HITO stated, calling on Conrad to take a “statesmanlike step” by handing over the reins. In its letter, signed by president Donbok Dkhar, HITO highlighted that all four of Meghalaya’s top constitutional posts — Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker — are currently held by leaders from the Garo community. “For the sake of proportionate representation, it would be only just that the second half of the term is led by someone from the Khasi-Jaiñtia region,” the letter read.
The organisation also raised concerns about gender balance in governance, pointing out that the cabinet no longer has a woman minister following the exit of Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh. “It is ironic that in a matrilineal society like ours, women have no voice in the present cabinet,” the letter remarked. Suggesting possible successors, HITO named Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, as well as United Democratic Party (UDP) chief Metbah Lyngdoh, describing them as experienced leaders with the legitimacy to take charge. The group underlined that none of the outgoing ministers were dropped due to corruption or inefficiency but only to accommodate coalition partners, and the same principle of rotation should apply to the Chief Minister’s post.