SHILLONG:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), one of the partners in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), will take a final call whether to withdraw support from the ruling coalition or remain in it in the party’s upcoming national executive meeting to be held in Hyderabad.
“In that meeting, we will take a call because the central leadership of the party has asked for a report from Meghalaya and I will be presenting it,” said state BJP chief Ernest Mawrie, on June 14.
Elaborating on the “need” to take this decision, the party’s state president said that BJP workers from various districts have expressed their will to be disassociated with MDA and have asked the party to withdraw support from the MDA.
They apprised the leaders about the same during the state executive committee meeting held on May 25,” he said. Notably, BJP national general secretary (organisation) Ajay Jamal had also attended the meeting.
“As the state president, along with the general secretary (organisation), we have given a clear statement that this decision to pull out of the MDA has to be taken by the party’s central leadership. We have already communicated to them (centre) and it is their prerogative now to give the direction on whether to remain with the ruling coalition or withdraw support. Therefore, we are waiting for the decision of the central leadership,” said Mawrie.
Currently, the MDA has two BJP legislators – Sanbor Shullai and AL Hek, and Mawrie said that whatever decision the party’s central leadership takes, the state unit has to abide by it. “We are a cadre-based party, we always follow the system of the party and the decision of our national president,” the state BJP president said.
Mawrie also informed that the MDA is yet to convene a meeting of its coordination committee and when it happens, they will apprise it of BJP’s grievances.
Informing that the BJP’s roadmap for the upcoming 2023 elections is nearing completion and the party has already started campaigning in various constituencies, Mawrie said that, so far, BJP has identified 35 candidates for the upcoming polls. “These include 15 in category A, 10 in B and 10 in C,” he said.
Mawrie also informed that over 700 people have joined the BJP in Mahendraganj and that it was a good sign for the party in the Garo Hills region.
“We are really working hard to prepare for the elections and we hope with all these yojanas (schemes) provided by our Prime Minister have reached the needy,” he said, informing that at least two sitting MLAs are likely to join the party.
“Due to the 10th Schedule, they cannot join now and I think by the end of July (there may be some joining taking place),” he added.
Launching a scathing attack on the Congress for Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Vincent Pala’s allegation that MDA is “divided”, Mawrie reminded the Shillong MP that BJP has kept its promise of a “Congress-mukt Bharat” and now, the Grand Old Party is struggling to itself afloat in national and state politics.