SHILLONG: The newly elected vice president of State BJP, J.A Lyngdoh, on Wednesday appealed to voters to give the saffron party a chance in the coming elections.
“Give us a chance to spread our roots and in this way, the fear psychosis (about the BJP rule) and rumours will be removed,” the former minister told a section of the media.
Lyngdoh said the party needs a chance to make people understand that BJP is not a communal but a political entity and anyone who wants to work for the State’s interest can join it.
He also revealed that there are sitting MLAs and a former legislator who are in talks with BJP.
Lyngdoh’s appeal comes a day after BJP State president Shibun Lyngdoh made a similar statement when asked about the party not having a prominent face in Meghalaya.
Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stand on ‘sabka saath sabka vikas’ (development for all), Lyngdoh said BJP will work for development in the State without any discrimination and ensure a corruption-free government.
Asserting that his priority is to strengthen the party before the 2018 elections, Lyngdoh said, “We will work hard to make BJP the single largest party.”
On whether BJP is looking at a pre-poll or a post-poll alliance, he said the decision would be taken by central leaders. “As the party has already formed the North East Democratic Alliance, we will gladly accept any decisions taken by the high command.” He added that BJP will usher in peace and harmony in the state so as to ensure an atmosphere capable to make way for socio-economic development. “Without peace there will be no development.”
When asked on the contentious issue of ban on cow slaughter, he said, “This will not happen at all when BJP comes to power. Even our forefathers ate beef which is our food habit and it cannot be changed.”
The BJP vice president was confident that the Congress would not come to power in 2018.
Stating that BJP leaders have brought in development in India particularly in the North East, Lyngdoh said the DoNER Ministry was set up during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister. “It was under his leadership that there was a speedy development,” he said adding that Modi was instrumental in bringing about a change in the country and that he has made the world notice India.
When asked what made him join BJP, the veteran leader said, “When Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the Prime Minister of India, I realised that BJP leaders are broad-minded.”
Speaking of regional parties in the state, he said that there is no unity in the parties as they are ridden with political bickering.
