SHILLONG, Nov 19: As Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to bolster its prospects for the upcoming Assembly elections in Meghalaya, it has now come to light that many sitting MLAs in the state were reportedly approached by the central party leadership recently.
According to sources, the central leadership of BJP had approached almost all the MLAs in Meghalaya, asking them to join the party.
However, most of the sitting MLAs turned down the offer, with some saying it is too late to join the party, while others maintaining that the saffron party is yet to make a strong base in Meghalaya.
When asked if they were approached by the BJP high command, some legislators replied in affirmative.
“If they wanted me, they should have approached me six months ago. Now, at the last moment, how can I change the party when I have already covered a large part of my constituency presenting myself as a candidate of a particular party?,” an MLA said on the condition of anonymity.
A day ago, state BJP president Ernest Mawrie had claimed that five MLAs from Meghalaya Trinamool Congress (TMC) and other parties will join the saffron party ahead of the upcoming elections. He had also said that while three MLAs would come on board in the first week of December, discussions with two others were still under way.
Mawrie’s claims may just hold merit as it has now been revealed that UDP MLA from Baghmara Samuel M Sangma on Friday called on senior leaders of the BJP in New Delhi to discuss the prospects of joining the party.
It was also informed that Sangma, who had won the 2018 Assembly elections from Baghmara as an Independent and later joined the (UDP), is more or less certain about joining the BJP.
Other legislators who are likely to join the BJP are TMC MLA from Mawsynram Himalaya M Shangpliang, and NPP legislators, Ferlin CA Sangma from Selsella and Benedict R Marak from Raksamgre.
Sources also informed that the sitting legislators would officially join the BJP in New Delhi and, most likely, the programme would take place on December 3 depending on the availability of the party leaders.
