SHILLONG, April 3: The state BJP has attributed its poor electoral performance in Meghalaya to the anti-Christian tag, the hijacking of the central schemes by other parties, and its failure in working at the grassroots level.
Speaking to media persons after attending a party meeting to dissect its poll performance, state BJP president Ernest Mawrie said everyone in the meeting agreed that the rivals managed to portray the BJP as an anti-Christian party.
“Why does the anti-Christian tag come to the force only during the elections and not throughout the year?” he asked, admitting the BJP could not reach out to the people at the grassroots due to the COVID restrictions.
Some parties also used central schemes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission to their advantage although these were provided by the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Mawrie said the party did quite well in Shillong and the Garo Hills but could not convert the huge crowds at the rallies into votes.
When asked why the party decided to support the government after making serious allegations of corruption against the NPP, he said it was to ensure political stability so that the people of the state would not suffer.
On the possibility of his removal as the state BJP chief, he said the ball was in the court of the party’s central leadership. “I shall have no problem with whatever decision is taken,” he added.
But Mawrie said the party is trying to move on from the Assembly election performance to focus on the challenges and strengthen its base ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
An optimist BJP national general secretary, Rituraj Sinha said it is their job to put the best foot forward to give the people an alternative.
“In a healthy democracy, we accept the mandate of the people and BJP has done exactly that,” Sinha said when asked about the poll debacle.
He disagreed that people in Meghalaya are shunning the BJP, claiming the party’s support base has increased.
“We have seen a large number of people joining our party and we were able to field candidates in all 60 Assembly seats. The crowd turning up for BJP events showed our base has grown. What more can be done to further strengthen the party is a matter of introspection and that goes on always,” Sinha said.
When asked about the party’s stand on corruption, he said it is now time to ensure the best possible stable government for Meghalaya.
He said Meghalaya has a lot of developmental and financial challenges and the central and state governments need to come together for a solution.
“Our priority is to work for the benefit and development of the people and that should be the priority of all constructive parties in Meghalaya,” Sinha said.
He insisted that BJP is anti-corruption, anti-dynasty and against anyone who is anti-India.
