Shillong, Sep 18: Is the BJP trying to win over West Shillong MLA, Paul Lyngdoh to its fold?
Sources said that the BJP is hoping that Lyngdoh, a UDP legislator and former minister, would join the bandwagon of eight UDP MLAs who are set to defect to the saffron party soon.
At present, eight UDP MLAs have made up their mind to switch over to the BJP. They have met Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently in New Delhi and discussed the issue.
The MLAs who met Shah included cabinet minister Lahkmen Rymbui (Amlarem), former minister Kyrmen Shylla (Khliehriat), Olan Singh Suin (Mawsynram), Mathew Beyondstar Kurbah (Mawphlang), Mayralborn Syiem (Nongpoh), Pius Rani (Ranikor), Synshar Thabah (Sohïong) and Balajied Synrem (Shella).
With the eight UDP legislators firm on their decision to leave the party, sources said that Shah may visit Shillong on September 24 to formally welcome them to the BJP.
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Sources also said that the eight MLAs are trying to woo Paul Lyngdoh to their side in order to increase the number to nine.
Lyngdoh who has been vocal against the UDP leadership after he was removed from the cabinet was among the six party MLAs who skipped the central executive committee meeting of the party on September 11.
Sources also said that efforts are on to try to convince Lyngdoh to join the Group of Eight. If the efforts succeed, the UDP’s strength in the Assembly would be reduced to three.
However, Lyngdoh is calculating his political cards. His main rival and former MLA, Mohendro Rapsang recently left the NPP and joined the BJP.
West Shillong is a cosmopolitan constituency where non-tribal voters decide the electoral fight. BJP has a strong support base among non-tribal community in Meghalaya. Lyngdoh therefore is looking at the scenario from all angles before taking a call to jump ship.
There are also reports that Lyngdoh is planning to contest the next election on NPP ticket.
Two other UDP MLAs – Nujorki Sungoh (Mowkaïaw) and Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar (Mawkyrwat) have also signalled their intention to join the NPP.
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