BJP’s South Shillong unit demands Hek’s suspension

SHILLONG:

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 19 South Shillong Unit, on July 10, demanded immediate and indefinite suspension of the party’s national executive member and former cabinet minister AL Hek for his alleged anti-party activities.

Vice president of the unit, P Sharma, in a meeting held at the party office at Kench’s Trace, Lumshatsngi, condemned Hek for allegedly trying to gain political mileage out of the incident that transpired during the closed-door meeting with National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) presidential nominee at Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam, on July 6.

“The incident, which unfortunately happened within a very secured environment was made public by a fellow party member, is completely unacceptable,” said Sharma, in a statement, on July 10.

Earlier on July 6, BJP legislator Sanbor Shullai had interrupted United Democratic Party (UDP) and assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh’s speech when the latter was raising concerns over atrocities committed against the tribal communities across the country in a closed-door meeting with the NDA presidential candidate that was attended by almost all political leaders of the state.

Later, Shullai, had sought action against his party colleague Hek for trying to take political mileage out of the incident, alleging that the issue was “blown out of proportion” by the Pynthorumkhrah legislator.

Stating that Hek’s anti party activities have tarnished the image of the party, Sharma said Hek seems to be leading the charge against the very party he stands for. “This double standard is highly unacceptable, and the party should look and take action on the same,” he said.

The vice president and convenor of BJP 19 South Shillong unit also added that the issue of atrocities against the tribal communities raised by the Speaker, was interrupted by Shullai, who believed and stood by BJP’s secular national stance, but Hek opposed Shullai’s claim.

“It goes on to show Hek’s double standards in dividing the Meghalaya Democratic Allaince (MDA) partners and the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) partners of which both BJP and UDP are a part of. Is Hek, who is close to Mukul (Sangma) and other All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) members trying for an alternative forum?” Sharma questioned.

He also said that after being dropped from the cabinet, Hek seems to have lost direction. The BJP South Shillong unit also asked if Hek is endorsing divisive politics by portraying his own party as anti-minorities?

The South Shillong unit further added that Hek’s statements are a reflection of his mindset and “this is a dangerous trend against the interest of BJP which is committed to protecting the interests of the minorities not only in the state of Meghalaya but the nation as a whole”.

“It is high time the party needs to pull up its act and stop Hek’s personal ambitions over party and state interests. If his views don’t concur with the party’s views, he is free to wander into wilderness as his behaviour indicates to,” Sharma said.

The BJP South Shillong unit also said that the party needs to take into cognisance Hek’s statements and act appropriately and set an example that none is above the party.