Manas joins BJP

SHILLONG, MAY 31: A former education minister and a former KHADC member today officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in two separate functions organized in the city, although they belonged from the same constituency.

Both were welcomed by the BJP national spokesperson and Meghalaya in-charge Nalin Kohli in the presence of the state president Shibun Lyngdoh and other leaders of the party on Wednesday.

Ex-MLA of erstwhile Mawprem constituency Manas Chaudhuri and former FKJGP leader and politician Sounder Strong Cajee were welcomed at Rilbong Club and Assam Club in Laban.

Hundreds of supporters of the two leaders thronged their way to the venue.

Chaudhuri was also a former Congress member and had contested from the party ticket in 2013 state elections, in which he was defeated by the present sitting NCP legislator of South Shillong Constituency Sanbor Shullai.

On the other hand, Cajee was also one among the candidates from South Shillong in 2013.

Interestingly, Cajee after being felicitated at the Assam Club, Laban also joined the function at Rilbong club and announced that he along with Chaudhuri will work together.

Speaking on the occasion, Choudhuri predicted that there is going to be a paradigm shift in the political history of Meghalaya in 2018.

“Meghalaya has not been able to build up the relationship with BJP and in 2018 there is going to be a paradigm shift in Meghalaya’s political history,” he said.

“I look forward to 2018 as a new beginning before Meghalaya marches towards its own golden jubilee. 50 years of the existence of Meghalaya but we have very little to show,” he said.

There is the lack of effort on the part of “political masters” and the machinery of the government that has led the state to a situation where it felt that Meghalaya has wasted effort.

“Meghalaya cannot run like this forever and the time to change has come and we must reap Meghalaya of corruption, laziness and of the political corruption. There has to be a paradigm shift and the moment has come now,” he said.

On the other hand, Cajee, while speaking at the function stated that he had fell inlove with the policies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose principles is to keep the interest of the nation first, and give the priority to the party instead of ‘self’.

He also spoke of the 3 Cs which is to – “Free Congress from Meghalaya, to make Meghalaya Corruption free and for members of the BJP to have a Clean image.”

“We don’t want law makers who have a corrupted mind who loot government scheme and convert it into family scheme,” he said.

Stating that there are some people who are creating a fear psychosis in the minds of the people with regard to the BJP rule, Cajee said, “It is forget everything and run for cowards and face everything and rise for leaders.”

On the party ticket, Cajee after saying that it would depend on the party leadership however said, “But I pray to God that the ticket will come to me.”

Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli earlier today maintained that many factors involved with regards to the party ticket and the matter will be decided by the central election committee of the party.