SHILLONG, May 1: BJP state president Ernest Mawrie, whose three-year term has already ended, on Monday downplayed BJP leader and Cabinet Minister Alexander Laloo Hek’s call for a leadership in the state party unit, saying that the remarks were of a “personal nature”.
“The term of the state president is for two years as claimed by Hek but even he was the state president for three years from 2003 to 2006,” Mawrie recalled.
“We will give a direction to Hek in a few days’ time that he cannot go to the press openly against the party. Being a minister, he has to talk about his own department and what development he will bring about for the state and the party. The party will make decisions,” Mawrie said. Asked if the BJP will issue a show cause notice to Hek, Mawrie said the party will think over it depending on the response from the central leadership. He denied the state leadership is divided.
“Everybody has his or her own aspiration and we cannot stop that,” Mawrie said and added that he is not aware of any move to remove him.
He made it clear the party’s central leadership will decide whether or not he should continue in the post.
He claimed the party’s next president in Meghalaya will be appointed after the election of the next national president. The term of the incumbent, JP Nadda, has been extended till June 24, 2024.
According to Mawrie, unless the BJP’s central leadership announces the election of the next national president, it cannot hold an election for the appointment of the next president in Meghalaya.
Mawrie avoided a direct reply when asked if he should step down and own moral responsibility for the party’s dismal performance in the Assembly elections.
He admitted the party could not do well despite contesting all 60 seats and its workers and leaders working hard. He said people gave their mandate to other parties.
He said they will regret for not electing the BJP after seeing how Assam has developed under the party-led government.
Mawrie also denied having any information on the move of the five TMC legislators to join the saffron party.
“We are not aware of any such move by the TMC MLAs. They might have discussed this matter with Hek since he has already admitted to an informal meeting with them,” Mawrie said while adding that the TMC MLAs are yet to officially approach the state BJP leadership.
Asserting that the BJP welcomes anyone belonging to any party to join its ranks, Mawrie said, “There should be an official communication to the both central and state leadership if they want to join the party.”
