In a political twist, the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) pulled off an unexpected manoeuvre on the eve of the Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. At the stroke of 11 pm on Sunday, Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira, the octogenarian stalwart representing Resubelpara in North Garo Hills was holding this post since 2018, received a late-night directive from none other than Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma — a call asking him to resign as Deputy Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly the very next day.
“I received a call from Chief Minister Conrad Sangma at 11 pm at night when I was about to sleep, today I before 9:30 am I resigned,” Shira disclosed, adding with pointed loyalty, “Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said Awang you better resign tomorrow, so I resign and as a royal party man I cannot say no.”
The Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Thomas Sangma, confirmed the development. “This morning, I have received the letter of resignation from Deputy Speaker TD Shira and accordingly I have accepted it. Immediately, I called for the emergent meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, to decide and review the calendar of this ongoing Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly where we can take the time to elect a new Deputy Speaker. Accordingly the BAC sat and decided the elections of the New Deputy Speaker will take place on the last day of the Autumn Session. He has not cited any reason but I was told that he has received an instruction from the party (NPP) high command directing him to step down.”
The timing of Shira’s ouster as Deputy Speaker has fuelled intense political chatter, coming against the backdrop of murmurs about a looming cabinet reshuffle. The NPP, which swept all four constituencies of North Garo Hills in the 2023 elections, continues to face mounting pressure over the district’s prolonged absence from cabinet representation — a gap stretching more than 15 years. Many view Shira’s resignation as the first domino in what could be a larger recalibration of the ruling dispensation.
“There is a little demand from the people of North Garo Hills as out of four atleast one should be inducted in the ministry. But it’s upto the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, no information is received by me,” Shira remarked, acknowledging the popular resentment in his home turf.
Facing the press with his characteristic stoicism, the veteran legislator reiterated his party loyalty. “I got a direction from my party high command that I should resign today. As a loyal party man I have to do what the direction given by the High command.” On being asked whether this signals a cabinet shake-up, Shira remained non-committal: “That I don’t know, nothing was told to me. No information of that kind I have received till now. Today I will try to meet CM, I will ask him the reason but he may not tell me also. It is his prerogative of the chief minister to ask me to resign or go somewhere else. As a loyal party man I have to obey his direction.”
Capping his statement with a hint of detachment, he clarified: “I have never made any demand that I should be inducted in the cabinet.”
