BJP focuses on organisational strength, not alliance

SHILLONG: The Bharatiya Janata Party is focusing more on strengthening the organisation in Meghalaya than forging an alliance with regional parties for the 2018 Assembly elections.
BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh said on Monday the party has no alliance with regional parties, like UDP or HSPDP, and it is working on strengthening its foothold in Meghalaya.
The party has already started its unit in Garo Hills and is working at the grassroots level to strengthen the base. It is also planning to go door-to-door to create awareness on central schemes under the NDA government at the Centre.
On regional parties’ alliance, Shibun said, “It is their internal arrangement.”
When asked about NPP, Shibun said, “There are no talks on the BJP-NPP alliance as we are organising the party. We cannot say anything till the elections are there.” NPP, founded by late P.A Sangma, is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance at the Centre.
Slugfest over N Shillong
When asked about the mudslinging between state BJP vice president J.A Lyngdoh and BJP aspiring candidate from North Shillong Tony Marbaniang, Shibun said the party’s disciplinary committee is looking into the matter.
He added that it is up to the committee to find out whether Marbaniang is a member of BJP though he admitted that Marbaniang met him to hand over a CD.
Shibun said, “There are online and offline registration modes in the party. The matter has been sent to the disciplinary committee to find out whether he is a member of BJP or not.”
Marbaniang had filed an FIR against J.A Lyngdoh for ‘defaming’ him and provided video clippings of a meeting at the conference hall at Bivar Road as proof.