SHILLONG, May 30: The relentless ranting by the State BJP against the National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance seems to have backfired with the saffron party now staring at a vertical split just month ahead of the crucial polls in 2023. Besides the split, the party is also staring at the possibility of Ernest Mawrie being removed from the post of state president.
Attempts by the state leadership to distance itself from the tainted MDA government has created a fissure within the party with one section consisting of Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai and the likes remaining loyal to the ruling alliance and another section led by leaders like GHADC MDC Bernard Marak who has been vocal against Chief Minister and MDA supremo, Conrad K Sangma.
The party’s woes have only been compounded by the fact that Mawrie has declared his candidature from West Shillong and is currently working towards his personal gain instead of bringing the party together.
While the smoke of dissent within the party was already filling the air, the differences became apparent during the BJP State Executive meeting held here on May 25.
A party insider told The Shillong Times that some leaders, led by Bernard Marak, expressed their opinion against the government and desired to leave the alliance. They were unhappy with Shullai primarily because he is being seen as a Conrad loyalist and also because he chose to remain silent on the allegations of corruption against the MDA government.
These leaders were of the opinion that the BJP should withdraw support before speaking against the government, the source said.
Confirming what the source told ST, senior BJP leader AL Hek on Monday said the state BJP has written to the central leadership to withdraw support to the MDA government.
Another section of leaders however wanted the BJP to continue supporting the government for the remaining term. “Some of these leaders observed that pulling out of the government at a time when it was about to complete its term would be seen as a laughable move,” the source revealed.
The source also disclosed that party national general secretary Ajay Jamwal, who had attended the meeting on May 25, told the state leaders that the decision on withdrawal of support could only be taken by the central leadership.
Even though he did not mention it, Jamwal is privy to the close bond between Conrad and his Assam counterpart, Himanta Biswa Sarma who is also the convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the BJP source told ST.
“Himanta has considerable influence on any party decision regarding the Northeast. This is the reason why Jamwal avoided any contact with the local media during his visit to the state,” the source said.
BJP leaders who are seen a pro-MDA believe that Bernard is growing vocal as he is set to face Conrad in the upcoming polls and also because the NPP had dealt a blow to his aspirations of becoming the GHADC Deputy CEM.
The source also pointed out that Mawrie’s selfish agenda of declaring his candidature from West Shillong will have detrimental effects on the party’s prospect in 2023.
“In West Shillong, the BJP Mondal president has already resigned leaving the party workers in limbo. The party workers are unhappy with Mawrie projecting himself as the candidate since they feel that the BJP should field another candidate who might have a higher probability of winning,” the source said.
Only time will tell whether the BJP will quit the coalition or whether the show of aggressiveness against the NPP is mere eyewash?
