SHILLONG : The BJP on Tuesday expanded its presence in Jaintia Hills with around 200 people joining the party, including former Nartiang MLA Draison Kharshiing and former MDC Lakhon Biam, who represented the Shangpung and Raliang areas.
The new entrants include people who were previously associated with different political parties, including the NPP, VPP and Congress, according to BJP leader and Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai.
Speaking after the induction programme, Shullai welcomed Kharshiing, Biam and their supporters, describing the latest joining as an indication of growing interest in the BJP among people in Jaintia Hills.
Shullai said his visits to different parts of Jaintia Hills over the past few months had given him an opportunity to interact with young people and women leaders who, according to him, had expressed their intention to join the BJP.
A major part of his remarks centred on allegations that the BJP is anti-Christian and opposed to beef consumption. Shullai claimed that people who had earlier heard such allegations were now questioning them and deciding for themselves whether to support the party.
He alleged that such issues are raised by political opponents particularly in the run-up to elections.
“The people of Jaintia Hills and Meghalaya are not accepting it anymore,” Shullai said, referring to what he described as anti-BJP propaganda.
The minister also said the BJP would continue its political activities across Meghalaya ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
He said the party would need to work extensively at the grassroots level and interact with people across the state.
On speculation that the BJP could attempt to destabilise the NPP-led government, Shullai ruled out any such move.
He said the BJP continues to have faith in the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, indicating that the latest political developments should not be viewed as an attempt to bring down the present government.