Shillong, Oct 4: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called off his scheduled Shillong visit, forcing cancellation of the President’s Colour Presentation Ceremony for Meghalaya Police at J.N. Stadium on October 5. Police said the ceremony stands cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances, and a fresh date will be announced later.
The official reason for Shah’s pull-out has not been disclosed. However, the cancellation comes at a time when the power equation inside the MDA has shifted sharply. After eight UDP MLAs crossed over, the BJP has become the second largest partner in the alliance and is now pushing hard for three Cabinet berths and a Deputy Chief Minister post.
Sources said former Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui is seeking Deputy CM plus Finance, Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem wants Home and Kyrmen Shylla is eyeing Urban Affairs. Finance is currently held by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Home Police by Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong and Urban Affairs by Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar. There is no official confirmation of any change.
What has gained more traction than the portfolio demand is the push to drop UDP president and Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh. The new BJP camp is understood to want Metbah out. The issue goes back to the September 2025 reshuffle when Metbah was inducted and Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla were dropped. Paul later said the UDP began falling apart after his removal. UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne has rejected talk of Metbah and Rymbui being dropped, saying any reshuffle is the Chief Minister’s prerogative.
The political question now is whether Shah’s trip was called off to buy time for the next realignment. BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang has said more senior leaders are expected to join in the coming days while ruling out any move to split the NPP, fuelling speculation that more MLAs are lining up to join the BJP before a final MDA 2.0 formula is sealed.
