SHILLONG, Dec 14: Four former MLAs – two from the NPP, one from TMC and an Independent – formally joined the BJP in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The four – Himalaya M Shangpliang (TMC), Benedic R Marak and Ferlin CA Sangma (NPP) and Samuel M Sangma (Independent) – had recently resigned from the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
The four joined the saffron party in the presence of Rajya Sabha member Anil Baluni, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, BJP national spokesperson and NE in-charge Sambit Patra, BJP national secretary Rituraj Sinha, State president Ernest Mawrie and other senior functionaries of the party.
Sinha addressed the press after the joining and stated that the BJP’s campaign mantra “Modi for Development, BJP for Meghalaya” was headed in the right direction and expressed hope that Meghalaya would join the PM’s vision for North East and become part of the resulting development and growth.
Patra spoke about the political careers of the former MLAs and expressed confidence that with their support Meghalaya will also experience the same development that other Northeastern states are experiencing under BJP rule.
Sarma said the joining of the four “experienced and respected” political figures will mark a new beginning for the BJP in Meghalaya.
He said Meghalaya BJP will improve its tally from two at present to forming a government that will further the welfare policies of PM Narendra Modi in the state.
Shangpliang, who spoke on behalf of all the former MLAs, stated that the BJP was growing very rapidly in Meghalaya. “Meghalaya needs change and that change is possible only through the hands of our PM.” Comparing Meghalaya with other BJP ruled states in the NE, Shangpliang said that the people can see what they are missing out.
All the four met BJP national president JP Nadda later. “I welcome Ferlin Sangma, Samuel Sangma, Benedic Marak and HM Shangpliang into the @BJP4India. I am sure all of you are blessed with immense capabilities that will greatly benefit our party & help us to fulfil Modi Ji’s mission of ‘Antyodaya’. My best wishes to you all,” Nadda tweeted.
