SHILLONG — Pynthorumkhrah MLA and BJP senior leader A.L. Hek has ruled out taking a Cabinet berth or becoming Deputy Chief Minister, saying the newly inducted BJP legislators should get the opportunity if changes are made in the Meghalaya government.
“For me, I am not going to take any ministry berth, very frankly and clearly speaking,” Hek said on Saturday.
Hek’s statement comes after eight former UDP MLAs joined the BJP, taking the party’s strength in the 60-member Assembly from two to 10 and reducing the UDP to four legislators. He also dismissed speculation over his possible appointment as Deputy Chief Minister, saying the new entrants should be given space in the government.
“We should give space to those new people who have come. Let them be the ministers,” he said.
Speculation over a Cabinet reshuffle has intensified since the BJP’s expansion, with reports of the party seeking greater representation in the Council of Ministers. No new Cabinet arrangement has been officially announced.
Hek said he was not aware of any proposed changes in the Council of Ministers and maintained that the decision rested with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. His own priority, he said, was to strengthen the BJP organisation ahead of the 2028 Assembly election.
Asked whether the eight former UDP MLAs could eventually leave the BJP, as Congress legislators had earlier moved to the Trinamool Congress, Hek rejected the comparison.
“For any change in the political scenario, it cannot be applied with the same stick,” he said.
Hek said the eight new BJP legislators were firm in their decision and would work to strengthen the party.
“They are firm. They are not going to happen like that and they are going to strengthen the party organisation to lead the government in 2028,” he said.
