Shillong, Nov 13: State BJP president Ernest Mawrie said some Congress MLAs are in touch with BJP central leaders to discuss about joining the party.
“There are talks with some of the MLAs, who only met the central leaders but I cannot give you their names now as it is too early. Like I said there is the Tenth Schedule so it’s too early to discuss now,” Mawrie told reporters.
He said three to five Congress MLAs have approached the party.
Sources said the BJP is reaching lout to rebel Congress MLAs who are likely to join TMC.
However, Mawrie does not want to comment further on the matter
To a question on the stand of BJP if the Chief Minister resorts to cabinet reshuffle after NPP secured two seats and UDP one in the bypolls, Mawrie said reshuffling of the cabinet is the prerogative of the chief minister.
“I cannot say on that but out of 2 MLAs (Sanbor Shullai and AL Hek), we are getting one cabinet rank so we are happy with that,” he added.
He also said that the party’s flock is intact. “They (MLAs) will be with us. They are both very mature politicians so I don’t think that they will switch over to any other party. Till today we are in touch and we are working together.”
He said Hek, who has been appointed as an advisor and a national executive member of the party, is a tall leader of the party and “he will remain with us.”
When asked whether he will contest in the 2023 Assembly polls, Mawrie said, “When the time comes if the party advises me to contest, definitely I will contest.”
He said as of now, he is working for the party and has completed the formation of the West Shillong mandal while for the North Shillong, the process is on.
