Meghalaya different, says Congress

SHILLONG: The BJP will not find a place in Meghalaya despite its comprehensive win in the Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh elections, parties in the state opine.
Reacting to the results of the elections in the two states that were declared on Monday evening, Congress spokesperson and state minister, Ronnie V Lyngdoh said BJP did not stand a chance in the state as it practices double standards.
“One the one hand they say they are not against Christians, but on the other hand you have the Jharkhand government coming out with the Jharkhand Religious Independence Bill, 2017 under which a person converting to Christianity has to take the permission of the deputy commissioner,” Lyngdoh said.
He further said violation of law under the Act would attract three to four years’ prison term with a fine of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000.
Citing another example, he said, people were recently arrested in Madhya Pradesh for singing Christmas carols.
“Now the situation is such that people can’t even practice their faith in a BJP-ruled state,” Lyngdoh said.
On the other hand, UDP working president, Paul Lyngdoh said mainland politics and politics of the periphery is as different as chalk and cheese.
“BJP will pick up some seats, but the biggest beneficiary of the anti-incumbency mood will be the state-based UDP-led alliance,” Lyngdoh said.