Shillong, Aug 16: BJP minister Sanbor Shullai wanted Ernest Mawrie to continue as the state president.
The statement of Shullai comes in the wake of demand for a change in the state party leadership from several quarters.
The demand is also in connection with the allotment of party tickets to candidates.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Shullai said the tickets should be given only after a close scrutiny and survey.
He stressed that Mawrie should be allowed to complete his term and a change of president at this point of time is nothing but suicidal for the party.
Shullai said the need of the hour is to stand united and work collectively and that he has personally spoken to Chuba Ao and will also speak with other central leaders and request everyone to put on hold the move to change the party president at this crucial hour.
Recently, media reports had quoted the BJP central leader Chuba Ao indicating the need for a change of leadership.
“I personally feel that Mawrie has stood by the party during the recent crisis and that he has lifted the morale of party karyakartas in Garo Hills”, he said.
However, Shullai, welcoming the news of Himalaya Shangpliang joining the party, said he will be a right choice for Mawsynram and personally speak with party leaders there to work together with him.
The minister said he is in touch with the MLAs, MDCs from Jaintia Hills and will ensure that more than 5 seats are won from Khasi and Jaintia Hills this time.
“The BJP will cross the double digit mark in the upcoming elections but first the infighting and groupism within the party should end immediately and anyone from the party with any form of grievance can meet me personally and we shall address the issue if it is of genuine concern”, he said.
He also appealed to all the leaders to work for the party and added that time is limited to change the state president and that it may trigger a collapse of the party with karyakartas and leaders resigning en masse as re-organising party will be difficult.
“Any one who is against party ideology should not be entertained and that if you go by my history, i have always stood by for a stable government and have stayed away from the lobbying game”, he added.
According to the BJP leader, the party will lead the next government in 2023.
“I will continue to defend my party in case any other political party or leader tries to tarnish the image of BJP. The BJP both at the centre and state has worked tirelessly for the people along with other coalition members and that we have never resorted to divisive politics but rather provided stability and full support on all fronts”, he said.
