BJP Meghalaya infighting: Mawrie faces choice of leading as BJP chief or winning as MLA
(Ex-Minister and Five time MLA Hek's differences with BJP chief widens)
Source: Nirendra Dev *

New Delhi/Shillong, August 18 2022: Intensive internal bickering has struck the Meghalaya unit of BJP.

Practically all the conventional restraints and discipline which formed the hallmark of BJP culture have done a vanishing act.

Every important leader is now communicating not among themselves or within the party forum, but through the media.

The state unit chief Ernest Mawrie is now in direct confrontation with sitting legislator A L Hek.

Another legislator Sanbor Shullai is now backing Mawrie.

It's a tactical move by Shulai, who represents South Shillong, as he does not want Hek to replace Mawrie as the new president.

In the last few days, leaders have proved that the BJP in Meghalaya is now a 'party of differences' .

Obviously, the central leadership including general secretary organisation B L Santhosh is also concerned about the manner things are progressing.

BJP national vice president M Chuba Ao as the state Prabhari is expected to take the entire party along.

His name has also been dragged and it is now suggested that he is not quite happy the way things are moving in Meghalaya - where polls are due in February 2023 .

"The BJP is not like Congress.

It is known for discipline and sacrifices; but in Meghalaya, unity was always a casualty," said a source lamenting that in last four and half hears -- the two sitting BJP MLAs have shown 'amazing dislike' for each other and were not able to see eye to eye.

In 2018, the party performance was not at all inspiring as it could win only two seats after fielding 47 candidates.

Meghalaya in-charge for BJP, Nalin Kohli, was replaced and M Chuba Ao was given the responsibility.

Senior BJP leader Chuba is a Naga and a Christian.

The saffron party leader's socio-religious background has become relevant in Meghalaya as the high command was 'convinced' that in 2018 the so-called Hindu-Christian divide angle was played up by its rivals.

In the run up to the 2023 polls, there is a paradoxical kind of situation now.

While the common people have understood the importance of the 'BJP factor' to push development and open up job avenues by augmenting corporate investments; on the other hand it is sheer 'infighting' that has dogged the party leaders.

"When it comes to corruption and nepotism, there is not much difference between NPP and Congress. Hence, there is a vacant slot for the saffron party," one leader suggested.

State unit president Mawrie wants to contest from West Shillong - a typical cosmopolitan segment which houses 50-60 per cent of non-local voters.

The sitting MLA is Mohendra Rapsang from Congress and people have strong resentment against him.

But to 'save' his sagging political career - Rapsang wants to switchover to the BJP.

Mawrie is more than keen to stall such a move and hence he had mooted the idea of 'no ticket for sitting MLAs'.

This was on August 11 .

But a few days later he had to make a u-turn and suggested he was himself in touch with 5-10 MLAs from other parties.

Nevertheless, he is seen as an 'obstacle' to several intending candidates and possible new entrants.

Hek has more than once alleged that Mawrie is generally working to 'stall' entry of leaders fromother parties.

The fact that Mawrie is also advisor to CM Conrad Sangma is being used by his rivals to allege that the state unit BJP president is himself working in favour of the NPP.

"If you ask what is wrong with Mawrie's style of politics; as outsiders and common voters; we have no issues.

Probably he will win also because Congress is now out of race in this segment and the siting MLA Ropsang has also failed us especially during Covid," said one senior citizen and a non-local businessman from West Shillong area.

The resident hails from Qualapatty area in the assembly and he says, "I feel the issue is, Mawrie cannot hold on to both the works.

To contest the assembly polls, he has to step aside as party president.

His constituency would require hell of hard work.

Lot of footwalks, which a pradesh president may not deliver" .

Moreover, regional party UDP has substantial presence in the constituency having won it in 2013 .

In 2018, Ropsang could wrest the seat by defeating UDP candidate Paul Lyngdoh.

Key Factors in West Shillong

# UDP's Paul Lyngdoh has an edge to return in a multi-cornered fight.

# The segment is spread across famous Mawprem region.

BJP banking on about 50-60 percent of non-local voters and a significant number of Hindus (Nepalis, Bengalis and Marwaris) .

# BJP chief Mawrie desperate to exploit 'Narendra Modi' and hyped 'nationalism' factors.

# Congress likely to field Augustar Jywra, a former Khasi Students' Union gen secy.

## Pynthorumkhrah assembly.

# A L Hek is sitting BJP MLA from Pynthorumkhrah assembly constituency.

# He has won the seat continuously since 1998 as BJP nominee in 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2018.In 2013 - he won the seat as Congress candidate.

# But Hek faces a tough fight this time.

# Both NPP and Congress are going to put up strong candidates.

Congress may field working president P N Syiem, a former Chief Executive Member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.

# NPP nominee from Pynthorumkhrah could be Probity Nongpluh or AL Hek's nephew Rocky Hek.

* The sender of this news can be contacted at nirendev1(AT)gmail(DOT)com .

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