SHILLONG, AUG 28: The BJP Meghalaya state today announced the joining of two sitting independent legislators, who are supporting the ruling Congress, in New Delhi but the same was categorically denied by the latter citing that they are still part of the state government.
In a statement issued here, BJP state vice president John Anthony Lyngdoh informed that the two sitting MLAs from Khliehriat and Mookaiaw constituencies in Jaintia Hills – Justine Dkhar and Robinus Syngkon have joined the party in presence party national chief Amit Shah.
Dkhar and Syngkon are presently holding the post of parliamentary secretaries in the Mukul Sangma-led state government. Dkhar is in-charge of Education and Social Welfare department while Syngkon is looking after Legal Metrology and Horticulture department.
“The joining of these two leaders will definitely give huge boost up to the party in the ensuing general election in 2018 not only in Jaintia Hills but in the entire State,” read the press statement sent by Lyngdoh, a former MLA and minister on Monday evening.
BJP national spokesman Nalin Kohli, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa, state president Shibun Lyngdoh besides big business tycoons from Jaintia Hills, Thomas Nongtdu, a former JHADC MDC and Rollingson Dkhar were also present on the occasion, stated the release.
In what could be termed as confusion in the state party, the BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh on contacting over phone however said that two sitting independent legislators have only assured the central leadership that they would join the BJP.
Interestingly, both the MLAs, who are still camping in the national capital, have outrightly denied the claim made by the BJP that they have joined the party.
“We have not joined the BJP as of now. We are still part of the ruling Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA-II) government,” Dkhar and Syngkon said over phone.
Dkhar said there is no evidence to proof that they have joined the BJP while Syngkon on the other hand said that they are even yet to decide on whether to resign from the government or not adding that they will be having a meeting to take a call on the matter.
“If we are joining the party, then we would have to resign as parliamentary secretaries and also as MLAs since the rule doesn’t allow us to simply merge with a political party,” Syngkon said while referring to the provision of the Tenth Schedule, popularly known as Anti-Defection Law.
Asked, he said that the main purpose of meeting the BJP national chief Amit Shah was to seek his intervention into ban on coal mining imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Meghalaya for the past three years, which has affected livelihood activities of the people.
“We have also urged him (Shah) to take up with the centre for invoking Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule for exempting the state from the central laws through a presidential notification,” Syngkon said.
Syngkon and Dkhar were also accompanied by another sitting independent legislator Stephen Mukhim, who is also supporting the ruling Congress government, while submitting a memorandum on this regard to the BJP.
However, there was no mention in the press release of the state BJP that Mukhim was inclined in joining the party.
Meanwhile, JA Lyngdoh while speaking to reporters in a news conference held here said that Mukhim is also expected to take a call in joining the BJP soon.
He also claimed the joining of the two MLAs is just the beginning as there are many other sitting legislators and leaders of different political parties including the Congress who would soon join the BJP in the state.
Asked, the BJP state vice president said that naturally, sitting legislators will be given first preferences for party ticket while informing that the state party is still waiting for central leadership to issue notification for inviting application from candidates for 2018 elections.
Stating that the last general assembly elections in many States have shown that people has already favoured the BJP, he claimed that so also it will happen here in Meghalaya.
“The general public has already made up their mind that BJP is the only option in this coming election and this will happen because of the main slogan of our Prime Minister Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,” he said.
He also said that the party can assure the people that over all development of the State will take place only if BJP is voted to power and a corruption-free- Government is ensured.
Responding to a query, JA Lyngdoh said that the BJP which is preparing itself in full swing, is targeting to win from 26 seats – 16 in Khasi and Jaintia Hills and 10 in Garo Hills region, in the upcoming state elections, slated to be held next year.
By Our Reporter
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