By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 4: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) reacted sharply to the announcement of a new regional alliance in the Northeast, led by the NPP, asserting that it was a fallout of the BJP’s failures within the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA).
MPCC secretary Manuel Badwar said the emergence of this new bloc reflected growing disillusionment among regional parties with what he called the “divisive politics” of the BJP.
“The formation of this regional alliance is just a reaction to the failures of the BJP in terms of NEDA. The divisive politics of the BJP, particularly from the Assam side, is now showing its ugly face,” he said.
Badwar maintained that several political leaders have begun to realise the “detrimental” effects of BJP’s regional strategies.
“Many leaders now understand that the Congress will come back to power sooner or later. We are gaining ground in south India, Kashmir, Bihar and eastern India. BJP’s alliance partners are growing apprehensive and are trying to project themselves as independent and not BJP-dependent,” he added.
He pointed out that the regional parties had no pressing need to form another bloc when NEDA already existed.
“This seems more like an attempt to appear self-reliant rather than an actual ideological shift,” Badwar observed, adding that “whether it is a genuine effort or a gimmick, only time will tell.”
On Meghalaya’s political landscape, Badwar said the new alliance would likely have limited impact. “BJP has little influence here except through a few politicians. We hope these regional players can shed off the financial and arm-twisting might of the BJP,” he said.
Citing examples, Badwar noted that parties like TIPRA Motha and the NPP continue to maintain working ties with the BJP. “It is a noble concept, but conception and practice do not necessarily go together. We will see how it pans out,” he stated.
Reiterating the Congress’s stand, he said, “We are a national party that believes in liberalism and secularism. We do not need alliances like this. Still, we wish them well — it will only make us stronger. But we must look seriously at whether such alliances are built on principle or mere convenience.”
