By CK Nayak
NEW DELHI, Sep 26: The BJP’s state unit is in a quandary on the issue of withdrawal of support to the MDA government following differences of opinions among its leaders.
On September 3, BJP’s state in-charge M Chuba Ao had virtually issued a threat, stating that the party might quit the MDA within a month. Later, BJP state president Ernest Mawrie had said the party favours withdrawing support to the government but the final decision will be taken by the central leadership.
“We are united (on the issue). It is the concern of the members. They have the right to apprise and they did so in various committees. The central leaders have been informed and they will decide,” Mawrie had told reporters.
But party leader Sanbor Shullai is understood to have refused to give up his ministership. His argument is that the BJP joined the government in the greater interest of the state and the party, sources said.
Shullai is also learnt to have said the BJP MLAs are part of the government because of the coalition. Some others in the BJP felt the party is not strong enough to go to Assembly elections next year after withdrawing support to the NPP-led government.
Sources said the BJP may have just two MLAs but it has at least three factions. While Shullai is a minister, the other MLA Alexander Laloo Hek is advisor to the state government.
The party’s central leadership was embarrassed when Hek was dropped from the ministry and party MDC Bernard N Marak arrested by the police.
The fissures in the BJP-NPP relationship are out in the open. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who is also the NPP national president, reportedly discussed the state matters when he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah here recently. He has been also in touch with NEDA chairman and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma on the issue.
BJP’s joint coordinator for the Northeast Rituraj Sinha will arrive in Meghalaya on Tuesday. So far, there is no word on the issue of withdrawal of support to the government.
