Hek downplays move for Mawrie’s ouster

SHILLONG, April 19: Lone BJP cabinet minister, Alexander Laloo Hek has downplayed the growing demand of a section of the party leaders to dislodge Ernest Mawrie from the state party presidentship.
“I have nothing to say or comment on this issue. It is the central leadership that will decide if there is a need to elect a new state party president,” Hek said while talking to reporters here on Monday.
As a senior party leader, onus is on him to ensure that the party remains united. “If there are differences, we will resolve them by sitting across the table,” he added.
He however said that if one goes by the media reports people might feel that there is a big problem in the BJP. “As far as my knowledge goes there are no such rumblings in the BJP,” Hek added.
It may be recalled that even South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai had made strong plea for removal of Mawrie.
Earlier, there were reports that many of the BJP leaders, unhappy with the alleged autocratic style of functioning of Mawrie, are likely to renew their campaign demanding his ouster.
BJP insiders had confirmed that with the resignation of KC Boro and the party’s dismal performance in the GHADC elections, other party leaders, especially from the Garo Hills, will tender their resignation.
Party leaders, who suspect Mawrie’s nexus with the Congress, are likely to go all guns blazing at him as their suspicion has been reinforced after the grand old party won 12 seats to emerge as the single-largest party in the GHADC.
Given the developments, sources said the demand for his ouster will get intensified from the next month since the party’s central leaders were busy with Assembly elections in five states.
Hek also sought to bridge the rift among the party members by stating that the party MDC from Barengapara, Pramod Koch had joined the NPP-led Garo Hills Democratic Coalition (GHDC) as per the directive of the party high command.
“The central leadership had given instruction that we can work with any party in the GHADC except the Congress. Therefore, his (Pramod) support to the coalition is as per the wishes of the high command,” Hek told reporters here.
According to Hek, the party had given clear instruction to the two elected MDCs (Koch and Bernard Marak) to join the ruling coalition during a meeting held in Tura.
Hek, however, declined to comment on party president, Ernest Mawrie’s opposition to joining hands with the NPP in GHADC.
Meanwhile, there was no word on whether Tura MDC, Bernard Marak would join the coalition or not.