SHILLONG: Paying tribute to U Tirot Sing is not a political gimmick, said BJP leader Ram Lal, who also hoped that the party would win at least 35 of the 60 seats in Meghalaya in the 2018 elections to form the next government.
The BJP national general secretary and in charge of the organisation held a series of meetings, including at the grassroots level, on Wednesday.
Lal, along with state BJP leaders, also paid tribute to Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing in the city on the 75th anniversary of Quit India Movement.
When asked whether it is a political gimmick before the 2018 elections, Lal said last year too, the party had organised Tiranga Yatra across the country.
“This has nothing to do with elections as similar programmes are being organised even in states which would not go to polls sooner or later,” he said and added that the party is observing Quit India Movement anniversary till August 31 to honour those who laid down their lives for the nation.
State president Shibun Lyngdoh defended Lal saying last year, DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh too had visited Nongkhlaw, the birth place of the Khasi tribal ruler to pay tribute to him. “We from the state party visited Garo Hills last year as well to pay our respect to Pa Togan Sangma,” he said.
According to Lyngdoh, youths of the country should be made aware of the movement and the struggle for independence.
