Congress gets a shot in the arm

4 top State leaders leave BJP

FROM A CORRSPONDENT

SHILLONG, Jan 23:  In a boost to the Congress in North Shillong constituency, former BJP district president of Shillong City and a State Executive Member, Keith A Pariat along with BJP members William Marbaniang, Wallambok Thangkhiew and Sunshine Warjri destered the saffron party and joined the Congress on Monday.

Speaking at a function to felicitate the four leaders held at the Congress Bhavan in the city, Pariat pointed out that he left the BJP because of mismagement of the party by certain members.

“The party is being run haphazardly and it was not moving in proper norms,” Pariat said.

“Many things have occurred which should not have happened. Therefore we became uncomfortable in the party,” he added.

Pariat said that he had joined the BJP in 2015 since he saw that Prime Minister, rendra Modi since he was “dashing and active and doing good for the country”. He, however, said that things changed later when the tribes of the northeast began to fear (the agenda of the BJP.

“We can’t generally ignore things. The atmosphere in not conducive anymore for the tribals of the region,” Pariat added.

He also said that the State BJP chief, Shibun Lyngdoh was being sidelined by other members.

He added that he joined the Congress because he felt that the north-eastern region of the country is lagging behind to a great extent from other states in mainland India.

Meanwhile, speaking at the programme to felicitate the new entrants, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Dr Celestine Lyngdoh said that the party respects the opinion of each and every individual.

Dr Lyngdoh also said that the resigtion of the BJP members and joining the Congress is a message to all citizens of the country in general and Meghalaya in particular to look at the right direction.

Shillong Lok Sabha, MP, Vincent H Pala while welcoming the new entrants into the party said that they have realised that the BJP was not the party it used to be.

“From a political party it has turned into a saffron party,” Pala said.

Pointing out at former Minister AL Hek who left the BJP to join the Congress and later re-joined the BJP, the Shillong Lok Sabha MP added, “One should not join just because he is compelled to join, or for profits or benefits.”

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