SHILLONG, Aug 9: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received a shot in the arm on Tuesday when around 200 individuals from Mawsynram, mostly the supporters of Meghalaya Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA HM Shangpliang, joined it in the presence of party legislator AL Hek and other senior leaders.
A programme was held at the BJP office in Shillong to welcome them into party fold.
Hek told reporters that the BJP has now become stronger in Meghalaya with the joining of these individuals who, he claimed, came from Congress, United Democratic Party (UDP), National People’s Party (NPP) and TMC.
“In the days to come, leaders from many constituencies will join the BJP. Even MLAs and former MLAs will also be joining. The BJP will contest more than 40 seats in the upcoming elections. We hope the BJP will lead the government in Meghalaya,” a confident Hek said.
Asked if the BJP will continue to work with the NPP, he said although the two parties are now in an alliance, they will not forge a pre-poll alliance.
BJP vice president Dipayan Chakraborty said the BJP got boosted by the joining of the individuals.
The BJP is strengthening in Mawsynram as well as other areas. There will be more developments in the coming days, he added.
Recently, Hek had stated that Shangpliang has shown interest to join the BJP and contest next year’s Assembly elections on its ticket.
The new entrants of the BJP refused to comment when asked if Shangpliang is also joining the party. They said they were impressed with the BJP’s developmental works and hence, joined it.
Even as they travelled to Shillong from Mawsynram to join the BJP, the leaders of the UDP left for Mawsynram on Tuesday to strengthen the party in the constituency.
The UDP leaders included party president Metbah Lyngdoh, its East Khasi Hills president Titosstarwell Chyne and Mawphlang MLA Eugeneson Lyngdoh.
The UDP endorsed to project its Mawsynram circle president Ollansing Suin as its official candidate for Mawsynram constituency. His name was forwarded to party’s State Election Committee (SEC).
On the occasion, the UDP chief inducted party’s Mawsynram new office-bearers including Rockester Thongni as secretary, Blestsar Kharnaior as vice president and Bit Rangslang as assistant secretary. The other office-bearers include the four working presidents — Tirot Sangma, Robert Reenborn, Ral Nongsiej and Won Nongrem.
The UDP president said the SEC will not delay in finalising the list of candidates for the Assembly polls.
“We will try to see that the candidates selected are in accordance with the wishes of the people in the respective constituencies. The party leadership will be more than happy to intervene if the people are not happy with the candidates recommended. We would like to have candidates who are backed by party supporters,” Lyngdoh said.
