A bitter Shira on Tuesday lamented that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma did not consult him before transferring the Tourism portfolio to the newly inducted Cabinet colleague.
Nevertheless, Shira maintained that he would be satisfied with any responsibility assigned to him and accepted the Chief Minister's prerogative in distributing portfolios.
Reacting to the yet-to-be-announced cabinet reshuffle, Shira described such changes as a normal occurrence in politics. He said he had been happy handling both Tourism and Agriculture but was equally willing to serve in any department that would allow him to work for the people.
Shira is currently left with Agriculture and Fisheries and has not yet been informed about additional responsibilities, if any.
The Chief Minister had indicated that the distribution of portfolios would likely take place on Wednesday, leaving Shira still in the dark about his eventual charge.
Asked whether he felt he should have been given more time to handle Tourism with only about a year remaining in the government's term, Shira said the allocation of portfolios was entirely the Chief Minister's prerogative and that he could not question the decision.
He acknowledged having developed a personal attachment to the Tourism Department, explaining that spending time in a particular department naturally creates a sense of association with it.
Such feelings were inevitable, he said, but would not influence his acceptance of the reshuffle.
Responding to suggestions that a senior NPP leader was losing an important portfolio to a relatively new entrant into the Cabinet, Shira said there was no distinction between veterans and newcomers in politics.
Once the leader of the party is elected Chief Minister, the powers relating to the allocation of portfolios rest with him, Shira added.