By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 6: The Congress on Wednesday dismissed the BJP’s prediction that it would lead the Meghalaya government in 2028, asserting that the party still lacks ideological acceptance in the state and across much of the Northeast.
Reacting to claims made by BJP leaders following the party’s electoral performance in Assam and West Bengal, Congress leader Manuel Badwar said victories elsewhere would not automatically translate into dominance in Meghalaya. He argued that the state’s social and political character is fundamentally different and remains unaligned with the BJP’s ideology.
Badwar alleged that the BJP often uses “government mechanisms” to secure electoral victories, but insisted that Meghalaya would not be an easy battleground. He pointed to states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu to argue that strong anti-BJP political currents persist, reflecting public opposition to the party’s approach.
While admitting setbacks in Assam, Badwar noted that the Congress was never a dominant force in West Bengal and blamed the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) for refusing a pre-poll alliance. He maintained that despite the growth of regional parties, the Congress remains the only national opposition capable of sustaining a democratic balance.
Addressing the party’s local standing, Badwar acknowledged a difficult phase in recent years but said the Congress is now rebuilding steadily. He stated the party is strengthening its grassroots organisation “brick by brick” and “unit by unit” in preparation for the 2028 Assembly elections.
The BJP’s Meghalaya unit recently claimed confidence in leading the state government in 2028 following its performance in recent polls. BJP leader AL Hek further claimed that several senior leaders, including sitting MLAs and MDCs, have expressed interest in joining the party.
