BJP not to remove Mawrie as state president: Dr Ao

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 4, 2021

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided not to remove Ernest Mawrie as the state president of the party and reiterated that it would not pull out of the National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.

The decision was taken after a meeting of the party’s state office bearers chaired by the BJP in-charge Meghalaya, Dr Chuba Ao on Thursday.

“I have seen in the media they want the president to be ousted…we have come to know everything and today we agree to disagree, so this matter is over. Everybody has rejected the agenda to remove the state president Ernest Mawrie,” Dr Ao told reporters.

He said today’s meeting was very fruitful as it also discussed how to invoke discipline and obedience amongst the party workers.

“Obedience is better than sacrifice…in conclusion I am taking the blame…for whatever is happening. Now, I believe that everybody will cooperate with me and nothing will happen,” he added.

Maintaining that the BJP will not pull out of the MDA government, Dr Ao said, “MDA is our alliance…we will not withdraw. Differences will be sorted out in the table.”

“Corruption issues, parties can highlight…even NGOs and civil society can highlight nobody can stop but since it is our own government, some mechanism (will have to be there for resolving the issue),” he added.

Dr Ao also blamed that the corruption allegations have erupted due to “communication gap”.

On Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong repeatedly appeal to the BJP to withdraw support to the MDA if it is so corrupted, the BJP leader said, “If I were in his place, I would also say the same thing because when there is too much provocation, people get fed up…”

Regarding Marwrie’s claim on having submitted the documentary proves through RTI, he said, “Lokayukta has already given an order (on this matter). It is the government’s duty, and has nothing to do with the party right now…So let the report come.”

He also denied that the MDA government has failed to address the various issues including illegal coal mining and its transportation and recent attack on migrant labourers in South West Khasi Hills District.  

“There is no question of being soft or hard (against MDA)…we are partners…I don’t think that people are suffering, I don’t see anything like that,” he said.

When asked if BJP would push for a CBI inquiry into the alleged corruption in the autonomous district councils (ADCs), the Meghalaya In-charge said, “Demand for CBI inquiry is a technical matter. Government/cabinet has to give the permission for CBI to come… so what happens if our government thinks that some unscrupulous people are doing and try to tarnish the image of the MDA, they will do it, it is not necessary that BJP has to do it.”

Condemning the attack on the migrant labourers, Dr Ao however said, “We cannot all the time blame (the state government) as these kinds of incidents are unpredictable…”

“This is a cowardice act and violence. BJP totally condemns such kind of act. Also in the future we ask all the civil society organizations to resist such kinds of things so that it does not happen in Meghalaya in future because people of Meghalaya should feel secure and…friendly and not to harm anything. Peace and harmony should be maintained,” he said.

The BJP leader further stated that there has been no complaint received against the alleged poor implementation of the various central schemes in the state.