Shillong, September 12: Senior BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah MLA A.L. Hek on Saturday said talks are underway with eight United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators over joining the BJP, while claiming that several sitting and former legislators from across Meghalaya are also in touch with the party.
Hek said the BJP is preparing for the 2028 Assembly elections with the aim of forming the government in Meghalaya. “We are looking at the political development for 2028. I already mentioned that we discussed this with Home Minister Amit Shah. We told him that in 2028 we will form the government in Meghalaya,” he told reporters.
Asked about reports that eight UDP MLAs are preparing to join the BJP, Hek said the final decision would be taken by the party’s national leadership. “That call will be taken by the national leaders. I am sure they are joining, but the call will be taken by the national leadership. Anything can happen any day,” he said. “I am not denying it. The discussion is already there, so the day is not far,” Hek added.
On whether demands raised by the UDP legislators had been accepted, Hek said they had received a “good response,” though he stopped short of saying that all their demands had been agreed to. “I am not saying in totality, but they have received a good response. That is the demand not only from the UDP, but the demand of the people of Meghalaya. We are there to fight for the interest of the state and the people,” he said.
Hek further claimed that the BJP is in touch with leaders from several political parties across all 12 districts of Meghalaya. “Not only from Khasi Hills — many people have approached us, approached me also from different political parties, but I will not mention from which parties. Both sitting MLAs and former MLAs from the 12 districts of Meghalaya are joining BJP,” he said.
He said some of the leaders were taking time before making a final decision, citing former UDP leader Jemino Mawthoh as an example. “They are taking their time. Like Jemino Mawthoh has taken his time, they are also taking their time,” Hek said.
Asked whether leaders from the NPP and TMC were also among those in contact with the BJP, Hek said, “Many leaders, including sitting and former legislators.”
