Lok Sabha elections: Post-mortem
SHILLONG: A section of Narendra Modi fans in Meghalaya may have let BJP down in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, but it was finally the image of Modi that gave the party a respectable result in the Shillong Lok Sabha seat.
While the State BJP has expressed happiness over the result of the Shillong Lok Sabha seat, according to party sources BJP candidate Shibun Lyngdoh did not receive the full backing of the Modi Fan Club.
BJP had got highest ever votes in Shillong this year since its formation in the state in 1991.
It could not only increase its vote share in the constituency, but also manage to secure the highest votes in the five assembly segments including Pynthorumkhrah under Shillong, party leaders pointed out. The most significant aspect of the result was that the party could also increase its vote share in the rural constituencies.
BJP had received a setback in the State almost five years ago when its lone MLA A.L.Hek had left the party and joined Congress, arguing that that he was from a Christian state and hence he could not continue to be with BJP that still preached Hindutva and construction of the Ram temple was on the top of its agenda. Many had thought at that time that BJP’s Meghalaya chapter was a closed book, but it has managed to bounce back.
Party sources said that that the central BJP leadership had appreciated the efforts of the state leadership and urged them to work harder in the State. A senior BJP functionary said that the credit for the good performance of BJP went to the State President, General Secretary and former President H.S.Syiemlieh who had put in their best efforts.
Party sources confirmed, however, that some members of the fan club were with independent candidate P.B.M Basaiawmoit in the Lok Sabha polls. A top functionary of the fan club served as an election agent of Basiawmoit who came second in the polls.