Shillong: War of words has erupted in the Meghalaya unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as BJP 19 South Shillong Unit vice-president P. Sharma on Sunday demanded action against veteran party legislator Alexander Laloo Hek for “tarnishing” the image of the saffron party in the State.
The 19 South Shillong assembly constituency is represented by BJP legislator and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary minister, Sanbor Shullai.
Shullai had allegedly disrupted the speech of State Assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh in the presence of NDA’s presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu, drawing her attention to the ‘atrocities’ on Christians in the country.
In its emergency meet held at the party office in Kench’s Trace, Lumshatsngi on Sunday, the BJP Unit condemned the side chosen by Hek, alleging that the latter had tried to gain “maximum political mileage” out of a recent controversy regarding Shullai during interaction with Murmu.
“An incident which unfortunately happened within a very secure environment was made public by a fellow party member, which is completely unacceptable. Though the issue was raised by UDP’s (United Democratic Party) Metbah Lyngdoh, Hek seems to be leading the charge against the very party he stands for. This double standard is highly unacceptable, and the party should look and take action on the same,” Sharma stated in a media statement.
“Atrocities against Christian minorities raised by Metbah Lyngdoh, was interrupted by Shullai who believed and stood by BJP’s secular national stance but Hek opposed Shullai’s claim. It goes on to show Hek’s double standards in dividing the MDA (Meghalaya Democratic Alliance) partners and trying to bring a divide among the NEDA (North East Democratic Alliance) partners of which both BJP and UDP are a part of. Is Hek who is close to Mukul and other TMC members trying for an alternative forum,” Sharma asked.
Noting that Hek seems to have lost direction after being dropped from the cabinet, Sharma further asked : “Is he (Hek) trying too much beyond his means and reach which could adversely affect the BJP and its image? Is he endorsing divisive politics by portraying his own party as anti minorities?”
“His (Hek) statements are a reflection of his mindset and this is a dangerous trend against the interest of BJP which is committed to protecting the interests of the minorities not only in the state of Meghalaya but the nation as a whole,” he said.
Demanding action against Hek’s personal ambitions over party and state interests, Sharma said, “The party needs to take into cognizance his statements and act appropriately and set an example that none is above the party and that he should be indefinitely suspended till central command takes a call on it. BJP 19 south Shillong immediately demands action against Hek whose anti party activities has turnished the image of party.”
