State BJP gets new president

SHILLONG: In a major shake-up just two years ahead of the next Assembly polls, BJP leader from East Jaintia Hills Shibun Lyngdoh was appointed as the new president of the party on Saturday in place of Khlur S. Lyngdoh.
Lyngdoh had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls for the Shillong seat. However, he  came first in the urban constituencies of North Shillong (5165 votes) West Shillong (6591) South Shillong (10534) and  Pynthorumkhrah(6984).
Though he came fourth after the sitting MP Vincent Pala, Independent candidate PBM Basaiawmoit and UDP’s Paul Lyngdoh, the BJP leader secured 15. 48 per cent vote share.
Hailing from Khliehriat, Lyndoh had also unsuccessfully contested the election to JHADC  from Rymbai in 1994 as an Independent candidate.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, Ranjit Mazumdar, the BJP co-coordinator for Meghalaya and Mizoram said that while Lyngdoh was unanimously elected as the state president of the party, Edmund Sangma was elected as the National Council Member from Tura.
Maheish Girri, National Secretary and MP from Delhi conducted the election while, Nalin S. Kohli, national spokesperson, BJP and in charge Meghalaya, H. S. Syemlieh  State Election Officer were also present.
All the state council members, state office bearers, district presidents have attended the meeting.
Sources said that though the outgoing party president Khlur S. Lyngdoh was offered the post of National Executive Member from Khasi-Jaintia Hills, he is yet to accept the offer.
When contacted, the 47-year-old new BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh said that the next move will be to form the full executive committee by holding discussion with the state party leaders.
Asked about the changes in the new Executive Committee, Lyngdoh said that he would like to work with both the new and old members.
“We will call a meeting to select the team”, he said
Lyngdoh asserted that he would make efforts to revamp the party and add new members and units.