SHILLONG:
CB Syiem, a former CEM of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and a founding member of the National People’s Party (NPP) in Nongpoh, left the NPP to join the United Democratic Party on August 25, 2022. However, he resigned from the UDP on December 22, 2022, stating that the party had no future plans and did not listen to the suggestions of the public. Syiem plans to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the coming week, as he believes that the BJP can bring about positive change at the grassroots level.
Syiem told The Meghalayan that he left the National People’s Party due to the corruption and scandal that the party was involved in and that people in the state were aware of this. He also mentioned that the leader of the NPP was “narrow-minded and selfish”.
Syiem stated that after consulting with his supporters, he decided to join the United Democratic Party (UDP) on August 25, 2022, in the hope that the regional party would be more attentive to the needs of local people, particularly concerning border issues, unemployment, and the proper implementation of central initiatives that affect tribal people.
“But when I joined, for three to four months there was no response from them and they did not even listen to our suggestions, our plans for the Assembly Election 2023, our concern for the citizen of the Constituency and the state as a whole,” Syiem said. As a result, Syiem along with his friend resigned on December 22, 2022. Syiem added that it was best for him to leave the party as soon as possible because the party did not allow him to speak the truth.
Syiem stated that he and a friend decided to join the BJP after receiving offers from both the TMC and the BJP. They believed that the TMC would soon lose power in West Bengal and that the leader of the TMC, Mukul Sangma, was disliked by many people. In contrast, the BJP had power at the national level and controlled several neighboring states. They thought that joining the BJP would allow them to contribute to development in their region by adopting a national mindset.
When asked if he joined the party solely to obtain a ticket to run in an election, Syiem replied that he joined the party to support its work on behalf of the people, regardless of whether it was the NPP, UDP, or BJP. He noted that the decision about which candidates receive tickets to run in elections is made by the party’s high command, based on the suggestions of the “mandal”. He emphasised that the BJP is a party that cares about grassroots-level issues and that he would remain with the party even if he did not receive a ticket. He also expressed hope that other leaders within the party would remain committed to the party as well.
Syiem argued that the BJP, as the party in power at the national level, would be better able to advocate for and secure the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya, as it did in Manipur. He also cited the BJP’s record of initiating and implementing development schemes such as the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JJM) and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) as evidence of the party’s ability to drive development in the region. He stated that a state governed by the BJP would be similar to Assam, where development has flourished and corruption has been minimised. “Apart from a well-educated politician we also need a politician who is both well-educated and concerned about the welfare of the citizens of Meghalaya, and who will work to empower the people through various schemes,” Syiem said.
When asked about his chances of winning the Assembly Election in 2023 if he were to receive a ticket from the BJP, Syiem replied that the only possibility is that the people will make a wise choice when they vote, rather than being swayed by sympathy or money. He also mentioned his efforts to bring the Khelo India program and a Mega Food Park to Ri Bhoi in 2009, and his follow-up efforts in 2019 to secure the establishment of a Food Park in the region. However, he lamented that these efforts had been unsuccessful due to the narrow-mindedness of local leaders, and that Ri Bhoi, despite being designated an “Aspirational District,” had not seen much development.
Syiem further added that other parties have been spreading false information that the BJP’s strength derives from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the promotion of “Hindutva” (Hindu nationalism), but that this is not true. He emphasised that Meghalaya is a Christian state and that no one can force its citizens to join any organisation. He suggested that these parties are manipulating the public and spreading fear about the BJP to win support.