Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national secretary Rituraj Sinha on November 28 said that the party is ready to discuss inner line permit (ILP) and other issues even as he said that there are pros and cons that have to be looked into.
Speaking to reporters on ILP, Sinha said, “Meghalaya is a state which is heavily dependent on tourists. There are implications of ILP on tourism which directly impacts job creation and earning of people of Meghalaya,” he said.
He said, “Yes, we understand that the culture of Meghalaya and their way of life has to be protected but at the same time we also need to balance between development and aspirations of the people of the state.”
He also pointed out that BJP stands for development politics, for corruption-free government because it believes that corruption in government is like stealing from the poor.
Asked why the party is still with the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government even after accusing it of being involved in corruption, Sinha said that the BJP as part of the alliance and as a responsible political party it is their duty to raise the red flag and its voice when they see something not happening correctly.
Sinha said that the party believes that the state has tried many options and now it is time for Meghalaya to consider a double engine government which will fast-track the growth and development works.
“We are preparing to contest elections in all 60 assembly constituencies. We are getting tremendous response and support from the people of Meghalaya. Many during the campaign have told the BJP leaders that they want to associate with the party officially,” Sinha claimed.
On Monday, Sinha also launched the membership drive through a digital process at the state party office. It was held in the presence of party leaders, including national vice-president and state in-charge, M Chuba Ao, MLA A L Hek, state unit president, Ernest Mawrie.
Sinha highlighted the contribution of the BJP in the development of Meghalaya through various central government schemes, and how they have touched the lives of people in the state.
He said people across the state are eager and excited to join the BJP as they trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver development to Meghalaya, as he has done in Assam and other states.
He invited people of Meghalaya to join Modi in his fight against corruption and in his pro-development agenda for the state.
At the programme, senior political leaders from Meghalaya joined the BJP.
Among them were Sukharam K. Sangma, former two-time-MDC from NPP, Elbert Marak, MDC candidate from UDP, Dipul R. Marak, Ex-CEM from NPP, Debajit Warjri, Ex-Rangbah Shnong & Retd. Additional Secretary MECL/ MPCC, Pradip Blah, Assistant Director of Sports NEHU & Rangbah Dong – Golflink Durbar, V G K Kynta, senior advocate of the high court, Richesly Jana Nongbet.
While joining, the leaders expressed their trust in the leadership of Narendra Modi and said that they have experienced the pro-people policies of the BJP over the last eight years.