Shillong: Senior Meghalaya BJP leader Alexander Laloo Hek on Monday said that any decision on the move by nine of the 12 UDP MLAs and some TMC legislators to join the saffron party would be taken by its central leadership.
The BJP, which has two MLAs in the state and the United Democratic Party (UDP) are constituents of the ruling NPP-led coalition, while the TMC is an opposition party.
“The BJP’s doors are open for everyone to join. We are looking forward to forming a BJP-led government in Meghalaya in 2028 (assembly election),” he said.
He, however, stressed that the state unit has no authority to decide on such mergers.
“For that kind of question you ask me, only the BJP at the national level can take the call on that. We have chairmen, in-charges of NEDA, of the party; they are the ones who do the needful. As far as invitation to any political party or leaders is concerned, the final decision is from the national leadership of the BJP,” Hek said.
The senior BJP leader admitted that meetings had taken place earlier, but said the current matter rests entirely with Delhi.
“Yes, earlier there were meetings but for this present issue, it is purely the call from the national leaders. All decisions, all functioning is from the Delhi leadership. This is not the call from the state BJP,” he said.
When asked if the MLAs had approached the state BJP, Hek reiterated, “It is from the Delhi leadership and that call is theirs. It is the call of the BJP national leadership. The call will be taken only by leadership at the national level.”
On the understanding among MDA allies, Hek said he had no right to comment on other parties.
“We understand that, I cannot say anything on that. It is the understanding of the political parties who are together with us in the MDA government; that is their own understanding. We work for our own political party only, but to comment on other political parties, I have no right,” he said.
Asserting that the party would welcome anyone willing to join, Hek said, “We welcome them if they come to join us. The door of the BJP will always remain open. We will do our best for the development of the state, for the health, education of the state.”
On the blame game in politics, he said, “In politics, A blames B, B blames C, that is always there. If there is no allegation then where will politics be? In politics, the blame game is there. Without blame games we cannot call it politics.”
“Everybody blames each other; there is no problem but our party is going to strengthen the party organization in the state of Meghalaya to ensure in 2028, it is a BJP-led government, simple,” he added.
