Shillong, Aug 2 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma of the Congress re-inducted Prestone Tynsong in the cabinet Tuesday, two months after he was sacked for anti-party activities.
Governor R.S. Mooshahary administered the oaths of office and secrecy to Tynsong at a simple function at Raj Bhavan.
Sangma and his council of ministers were present at the ceremony.
With the induction of Tynsong, the lone vacant seat in the 12-member cabinet has been filled.
Tynsong, along with Frankenstein W. Momin, Augustine D. Marak and Founder Strong Cajee, were sacked June 6 for demanding the ouster of Sangma as chief minister.
Sangma said the decision to re-induct Tynsong was taken after discussion with senior Congress leaders, including his bete-noire D.D. Lapang.
‘We are choosing from among the equals but it’s my prerogative to choose. My job is to carry everybody together,’ Sangma said.
Congress leaders said Tynsong’s re-induction was to ensure unity in the party ahead of assembly elections scheduled in 2013.
The Congress, which has 28 legislators, enjoys the support of nine United Democratic Party (UDP) members. Main opposition Nationalist Congress Party has 15 members in the 60-seat assembly.
Meghalaya has seen nine governments with varied combinations, resulting in eight chief ministers between 1998 and 2009. Since Meghalaya attained statehood in 1972, only two chief ministers have completed a full five-year term.
