BJP will not make much impact in state: Ex-Speaker

SHILLONG: Former Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and Congress candidate from Nongthymmai, Charles Pyngrope, has exuded confidence that the saffron party will not make much impact in Meghalaya.
Talking to media persons during a public meeting at Diengpasoh, he said with just a few weeks left for the elections, the BJP will not be able to make much impact. “In fact, people are leaning towards the Congress. I am not saying this because I am a Congress candidate but this is a fact,” he said.
Pyngrope’s son David Nongrum, who is the Congress candidate from Mawryngkneng, warned voters against the BJP’s anti-minority policies and the danger that lurks because regional parties are in alliance with the saffron brigade.
Nongrum, who also addressed the gathering at Diengpasoh, said the BJP is trying to make inroads into Meghalaya but the people here had already experienced the fallout of the BJP’s recent decisions.
“After they came to power in 2014, we saw many changes and heard many announcements, many of which like the observation of Good Governance Day on December 25 and Digital Day on Good Friday last year, were against minorities,” said the MLA who is seeking re-election.
According to Nongrum, such decisions affected the common man. The Congress leader also pointed out that regional parties in the state are under the umbrella of BJP-supported North East Democratic Alliance.
The NPP and the UDP are part of the alliance.
On being asked about money power, Pyngrope said the other parties have their means but in Nongthymmai constituency, money power has not played a major role in elections.
While denying allegations that the Congress ever used the church, he added that it is a secular party.
According to Pyngrope, the Congress still expects to cross over 30-32 seats in the upcoming polls while maintaining that there is no anti-incumbency factor against the Congress in the state.
When asked about Nongthymmai constituency, he said, “I am confident but we will have to work hard.”
Around 4,000 people attended the rally that was also attended by Umroi candidate George Bankyntiewlang Lyngdoh.