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INTERVIEW - Conrad Sangma, Meghalaya chief minister

- RABI BANERJEE

CONRAD SANGMA LOVES to be surrounded by people, but he is not a mass leader like his father, former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma, was. A foodie who loves to play guitar, Conrad has business degrees from Philadelphia and London, and a CEO-like style of functioning as chief minister. Gentle and serious-minded, he did raise his voice once during my interview with him. “Just shut up; don’t disturb,” he shouted, when people who had gathered outside his home clamoured for his attention.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q/ You ran a minority government that lasted five years. How was it?

A/ Meghalaya always had a fractured mandate since 1972. It was very difficult to run my government, but we managed somehow. The credit goes to my entire team.

Q/ You won’t give credit to the BJP, your coalition partner?

A/ Of course, the credit is for the coalition team. But we maintain the mandate. After the 2018 election, I said, “Forget it, we will work together.” And we got everyone to fulfill tasks.

Q/ Did you face any problem with the BJP? A/ Never. I have always believed that when you are leading a team, you need to carry along everybody. I always consult everyone while making decisions. I decentralise power a lot. I never interfere in the work of a minister. I deal with officers the same way, but I admit it is a great challenge to do that department-wise. Another important thing is to carry along the civil society and religious organisations. We took them on board.

Q/ You are not a rooted politician like your father. You studied abroad.