SHILLONG: Four MLAs — AL Hek (Congress), Sanbor Shullai (NCP), Robinus Syngkon and Justine Dkhar (Independents) — who were set to join BJP did not turn up for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally on Saturday.
It was speculated that the four MLAs would share the dais with Prime Minister as they were likely to join the saffron party. However, none of the MLAs turned up for the rally.
BJP Meghalaya President Shibun Lyngdoh said he had verbally communicated to these MLAs who had agreed to share the dais with the Prime Minister. “Later, I had also sent invitation letters to them,” Lyngdoh said.
“However, the MLAs did not send their identity cards and photographs to the party authorities so that they can make their identity cards to sit with the Prime Minister since Special Protection Group (SPG) is very strict on the security matters,” he added. When asked if the MLAs would join BJP, he said they are likely to join before the current Assembly is dissolved.
“But we can’t force them and it is up to their free will. Ours is a cadre-based party and we have many people to contest the elections,” Shibun said.