SHILLONG, Dec 21: The BJP, hit by internal squabbling all these years, seems to have arrived at a consensus to work together in a bid to win the upcoming Assembly elections.
Insiders say the party has put an end to the internal fights against Mawrie and everyone from the grassroots members to senior leaders and MLAs are working in tandem to ensure that the BJP improves its tally in the state.
“The faction that wanted to oust Mawrie has mended fences in the greater interest of the party,” a senior BJP leader said.
Mawrie is projecting himself as the party candidate from the West Shillong constituency where he is likely to face the NPP’s Mohendro Rapsang and the UDP’s Paul Lyngdoh. The BJP would be contesting the West Shillong seat for the first time.
BJP will spring poll
surprise: Sanbor
Cabinet minister and BJP leader Sanbor Shullai on Wednesday said the saffron party will emerge as a dark horse in the 2023 Assembly polls in Meghalaya.
He was confident that the BJP will perform beyond expectation, especially in the Garo Hills, with the joining of many MLAs and former MDCs.
“We will ensure a serious contest in most seats after which we will form the government with like-minded parties and will take the state to a higher pedestal of good governance in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Shullai said.
“People should give us a chance as they have tried all other parties and seen the results for themselves. If the people of the state can give other parties an opportunity, then why not the BJP?” he asked.
“We should realise that the elected MLAs of BJP are all sons of the soil and represent the sentiments, hopes and aspirations of the people of the state before our BJP-led central government. In our party, a majority of the office-bearers are Christians. Our state president Ernest Mawrie and MLA AL Hek are both Catholics and I, from the indigenous faith, represent our Seng Khasi and Sein Raid communities,” Shullai said, hoping for support in the Christian-majority state.
“Bah Hek has been constantly pursuing the allotment of land for the construction of the KJP Synod building in Delhi while Bah Mawrie has been vocal in airing the concerns of the Catholic church before the central leadership,” he continued.
Shullai said the 2023 elections will be fought on the agenda of development and not divisive propaganda – a “bluff propagated against the BJP” by vested interests.
“This election, let us talk about how to resolve the plight of teachers, fill up all government vacancies, ensure peace, resolve border troubles and create more jobs in the private sector. I assure the electorate that the BJP is the only solution for protecting the rights of the tribal people, better economic and infrastructure development and ever-lasting peace and prosperity,” he said.
