SHILLONG, April 15: There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics and this was evident in the partnership between the BJP and the National People’s Party (NPP) in Meghalaya this parliamentary election.
The BJP decided against contesting and instead, extend its support to the NPP which has fielded candidates in both seats, Shillong and Tura.
When the two parties were separately contesting the Assembly polls, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had dubbed the NPP-led MDA government as the most corrupt in the country.
A year later, the BJP, which often talks about zero tolerance to corruption, made a sacrifice by not contesting and supporting the NPP in the parliamentary election despite the NPP-led MDA government facing charges of scams and irregularities.
Ironically, days after calling the MDA government the most corrupt, Shah, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attended the swearing-in ceremony of the MDA 2.0 government under Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
Although the NPP and the BJP were often targeted by parties for being one entity, both had maintained that they are separate entities. The two openly declared their union this election.
When the BJP introduced the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Parliament, NPP’s Tura MP Agatha Sangma had endorsed it.
It remains to be seen if the NPP will back the Uniform Civil Code which the BJP is planning to come up with.
The BJP is continuously campaigning for NPP’s Shillong candidate Ampareen Lyngdoh and the leaders of the party say there is nothing unusual as the two parties have been partners from before.
The BJP has pushed its workers to every nook and corner of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills to ensure Lyngdoh’s victory.
“As campaigning date comes closer to the deadline, the enthusiasm and eagerness to organise meetings have hit a fever pitch. BJP legislator Sanbor Shullai held a series of meetings at Kench’s Trace, Laban and Cantonment area, urging party supporters to cast their vote in favour of the NPP symbol during this election,” a statement issued by the BJP’s state unit said.
Earlier, Meghalaya BJP’s ST Morcha, led by its vice president Priyambada Blah and general secretary Eunesscy Khyriem, campaigned for Lyngdoh at Nongrang and Thangmaw villages in Eastern West Khasi Hills district. The meeting was also attended by district president Wanpynbiang Nongtariang along with Pranes Nongrang and Sunita Swer, among others.
Meetings were also organised at five mandals under Ri-Bhoi district in support of the NDA candidate, under the supervision of district president Sen Thabah. Similar meetings were organised in East Jaintia Hills district, organised by district president Commanderful Sana. BJP National Council member David Kharsati and state general secretary Wankitbok Pohshna attended these meetings in both districts.
The state BJP Mahila Morcha, led by Susuki Pariat, and youth wing, led by its president Mewaker Lyngdoh, are conducting door-to-door campaign for Lyngdoh in prominent localities of Shillong and other areas.
