BJP welcomes 4 MLAs, claims Cong days are numbered

SHILLONG, JAN 2: Four sitting legislators in the state today officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after resigning as members of the ninth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly ahead of the ensuing state elections to be held this year.

These include former Congress minister AL Hek, former Assembly deputy speaker Sanbor Shullai, and two independent MLAs – Justine Dkhar and Robinus Syngkon – who earlier had supported the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA-II) state government.

Earlier, the MLAs jointly tendered their resignation letter to the Assembly Speaker A T Mondal and handed it over to the latter’s PA in his office. Mondal said the joint resignation letter is valid and will be accepted.

All the four were officially welcomed by the leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a public rally.

Expressing confidence that their joining would boost the party’s prospect in the upcoming polls, Union Tourism Minister K J Alphonse while addressing the rally to welcome the new entrants said the BJP will throw the Congress out of the government in the state.

“We are going to throw the most corrupt government in Meghalaya (from power). Mr Chief Minister your days are numbered. This is just the beginning,” Alphons said adding “You (Meghalayans) have been ruled by the Congress which deprived you of what you deserved. Your ministers have stolen your money. This has to stop.”

He further claimed that the BJP will achieve its Mission-40 in the state to form the next government.

Also addressing at the rally, BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav expressed happiness that the party could begin the new year with four MLAs joining its fold.

“What a way to welcome the New Year with four MLAs. I have no doubt they will continue to be re-elected as MLAs again,” he said.

Terming it a ‘Ghar wapsi’ for Hek, Madhav said, “The BJP is the present and future of India and Meghalaya future is BJP.”

Hek had earlier contested on BJP ticket in 1998, 2003 and 2008. He joined the Congress in 2009 and was re-elected in the 2013 elections retaining the Pynthorumkhrah seat.

By Our Reporter