SHILLONG, JAN 15: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Meghalaya on Wednesday elected Ernest Mawrie as its new president.
The election was held in the presence of union minister of state for animal husbandry Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, BJP national secretary in-charge Tripura and election observer Sunil Deodhar, state ministers – AL Hek and Sanbor Shullai.
Mawrie, a former vice president of the state party, succeeded Shibun Lyngdoh, who held the post of a state president for the past four years.
Mawrie had also unsuccessfully contested against opposition Congress leader Charles Pyngrope from Nongthymmai constituency in 2018 Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters, the newly elected state president said that the party is extending full support to the demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) but was tight lipped over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, which has created strong resentment in the state.
“We stand by the demand of the people of Meghalaya for implementation of the ILP in the state and we will also take up this matter with our central leadership,” Mawrie said.
He also assured that he is ready to lead all the NGOs of the state to meet the union home minister Amit Shah to discuss on the demand. “I am ready to lead the NGOs to Delhi and meet Amit Shahji,” he said.
When asked about the party’s stand on CAA, Mawrie however said the matter is subjudice as it is still lying pending with the Court.
Stating that the CAA issue was part of the BJP’s election manifesto, he said that Meghalaya however was already exempted from the purview of the Act.
Mawrie also said as the new president of the party, he would also focus on development of the state through proper implementation of the various central schemes.
Earlier, Deodhar after conducting the election informed that Mawrie’s name was proposed by AL Hek and seconded by David Kharsati.
Taking the burning issues in the state into consideration, the BJP national secretary also assured that the state party will act as a mediator between the Government of India and the people of Meghalaya.
He however slammed the opposition parties for trying to create misunderstanding on the decision taken by the Centre to implement the CAA. “However, I am sure that state leaders including AL Hek will be able to convince the people of this misconception,” Deodhar said.
Meanwhile, Shibun Lyngdoh has been appointed as the national executive committee member and state core committee member.
Asked, Lyngdoh said that he has tried his best to strengthen the party in Meghalaya. He pointed out that his achievement as a former president was the fact that the BJP got two MLAs in the state.
By Our Reporter
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