Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya BJP is pivoting to an independent strategy for the 2028 assembly elections. Senior leader AL Hek confirmed the party will reject pre-poll alliances to lead the next state government. The party currently holds only two seats in the 60-member assembly. It relies on its strongholds in Pynthorumkhrah and South Shillong.
Internal friction has spiked following the induction of former RSS leader Homnath Gautam. Gautam recently joined the party in Shillong and declared himself an aspirant for the South Shillong seat. This puts him in direct conflict with incumbent MLA Sanbor Shullai. Hek is performing damage control to keep the party united. He stated, "There is nothing wrong with allowing anyone to join the party. We should not oppose new entrants if we want to lead the government in 2028."
Other high-profile arrivals include former National People’s Party leader Mohendro Rapsang. Meanwhile, Jemino Mawthoh is expected to join soon. The party also recently opened a West Shillong office in Mawbah. Leaders hope these moves will mirror the party’s growth in Assam, Tripura, and Manipur.
For the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, Hek declined to run, citing existing responsibilities. He proposed Sanbor Shullai as the candidate instead. The party is currently vetting nine applicants for the ticket. For the June 18 Rajya Sabha election, the BJP will support a consensus candidate from the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance. James P.K. Sangma is the frontrunner for that seat. Party spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang dismissed claims that religion affects central scheme rollouts. He argued that rivals use religious propaganda only because they lack policy arguments.
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