Mawrie hints at show cause notice to Hek
State leaders to soon get directive on media statements against party

Shillong, May 1: The BJP state president, Ernest Mawrie, on Monday clarified that there was no division in the party’s state leadership but at the same time made it clear that minister AL Hek should not speak against the party to the media.
Replying to Hek’s comment on the need for a change in the state party leadership, Mawrie said the state BJP is waiting for the central leadership’s direction on issuing a show cause notice to the minister.
“Within a few days, the party will give a direction that you (party leaders) cannot go to the press openly against the party. Being a minister, he has to talk about his own department and what development he will bring through his department for the state and for the party, the party will take decisions,” he added.
Hek, who is the BJP MLA from Pynthorumkhrah constituency, said on Sunday that the tenure of the state president is for two years and there was a need for an election. He added that he was ready to take up the responsibility of the Meghalaya BJP if the central leadership wished so.
“I have completed my three-year term. Whether I continue or discontinue that will be decided by the central leadership,” Mawrie said as he pointed out that Hek was the president of the state BJP for three years from 2003 to 2006.
In January this year, Amit Shah announced that the tenure of BJP’s national president JP Nadda would be extended till June 4, 2024, after a recommendation by veteran leader Rajnath Singh.
“Therefore, until and unless the Centre announces the election of the national president, we (state) cannot hold an election. So, he (Hek) is very wrong in giving that statement,” he added.
However, he denied any division in the party saying, “Everybody has their own aspiration and we cannot stop that.”
On whether Mawrie would take responsibility for the party’s poor performance in the Assembly elections in the state in February, the BJP state president said, “We are doing well, we have fought in all 60 seats and our vote share has also gone up. All candidates have worked hard to win but an election is an election… We have to work hard in Meghalaya but people will regret (not voting for BJP) because see how development has taken place in Assam.”