Central BJP to decide on withdrawal of support to MDA

Shillong, June 14: The national executive committee of the BJP to be held in Hyderabad will take a decision whether the party should   pull out of the MDA government.

BJP state president Ernest Mawrie told reporters on Tuesday that the Centre will take a decision.

“Thie matter will be discussed again in the national executive meeting in Hyderabad. In that meeting, we will take a call because they will call for a report from Meghalaya and I will present that report,” Mawrie said.

He said some of the party workers from  various districts wanted  the party to come out of the MDA government during the state executive committee held on May 25, in the presence of BJP national general secretary (organisation) Ajay Jamwal.

“As the state president along with the general secretary (organisation), we have given a clear statement that this matter has to be taken by the central leadership and we are waiting for the decision of the central leadership”, he said.

To a question on the stand of the two MLAs, the BJP state president said, “Both the MLAs – Sanbor Shullai and AL Hek – have to wait for the decision from the centre. Whatever decision taken by the centre as you know we are a cadre based party, we always follow the system of the party and the decision of our national president”, he said.

Response to Timothy 

When asked to comment on the statement of the NPP leader and Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira that his party has been tolerating the state BJP for raising allegations of corruption against the MDA government, Mawrie said that may be the personal opinion of Shira but added that the matter will also be reported to the national executive meeting.

“Let me report all the things to the national executive committee where they will call for a report from each and every state so that also will be part of the report,” he added.

Pala’ s allegations 

In reply ito the allegation of Congress chief Vincent Pala that the MDA along with its coalition partners including the BJP are divided,  Mawrie  reminded that his party was successful in its mission of ‘mukt Congress Meghalaya’ and now the Congress is nowhere.

The BJP leader also pointed out the MDA coordination committee meeting is yet to be held  to apprise any grievance.

“And till today we have not seen any partners of the MDA that they want to withdraw support,” he said.

He asserted that the decision to pull out is not in their hands but the prerogative of the central leadership..

Election preparation

Mawrie said the party is gearing up for the 2023 Assembly elections and it has already prepared a roadmap and started campaigning across the state.

Mawrie said over 700 people have joined the BJP in Mahendraganj and that this 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 that all these yojanas (schemes) provided by our Prime Minister have reached the people and to the poorest of the poor people in the state – this will help us to prepare the roadmap for the upcoming elections,” he said.

He said the party has identified 35 candidates for the 2023 polls and these include 15 in category A, 10 – B and 10 – C.

Mawrie said 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.