Four MLAs from Meghalaya join BJP ahead of assembly polls

Ahead of assembly polls early next year in North Eastern states, four MLAs from Meghalaya joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of senior leader JP Nadda in New Delhi.

On Wednesday, two MLAs belonging to BJP’s ally National People's Party (NPP), one independent and one from Trinamool Congress joined hand with Saffron party.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, “Guided by the vision of PM Narendra Modi, four Honourable MLAs of Meghalaya_Benedik Marak, Ferlin Sangma, Himalaya Shangpliang and Samuel Sangma ~ joined BJP today in august presence of senior leaders. My heartiest wishes to them.”



The convener of the BJP-led anti-Congress alliance of regional parties -- North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) added “Along with four Meghalaya Hon MLAs, we paid a visit to Adarniya Adhyaksh JP Nadda Ji to seek his margdarshan. Nadda Ji guided us on the way forward on strengthening BJP”.

The minister further praised Modi leadership and said, “it is an important day for us as the four sitting MLAs joined BJP. This is a new beginning. These MLAs are well respected and very experienced and joined the BJP reposing complete faith in the leadership of Prime minister Narendra Modi.”

"The north-east has been mainstreamed completely and three BJP state governments (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur) have been re-elected to power, highlighting the party's address has become permanent in the region," he said, expressing confidence that the BJP will score "spectacular wins" in the upcoming polls in Tripura and Nagaland, besides Meghalaya.

Since 2014 Northeast India has undergone tremendous change be it in highway, railways and airways and E-way.

Sambit Patra, who oversees the BJP's organisational affairs for the region, said the north-east will become a new engine of growth for the country under Modi.