State BJP president Ernest Mawrie today clarified that none of the Trinamool Congress MLAs had approached the party to express their interest for merger.
He was referring to a recent statement by BJP minister Alexander L. Hek that Trinamool Congress MLAs Dr. Mukul Sangma and Charles Pyngrope met him “over tea” to have preliminary discussion for merger of the five Trinamool Congress legislators with the BJP.
“We cannot give any statement until and unless they approach us,” Mawrie told media persons.
Stating that the party is not aware about the initiative by Hek to discuss with the Trinamool Congress MLAs for merger with the BJP, Mawrie said, “As a party we’re not aware of such talks.”
On Hek’s demand for holding of State party president election, Mawrie said that since the national president J P Nadda’s term has been extended till June 2024, the State party leadership cannot hold any election.
Terming the statement given by Hek as “his personal statement”, Mawrie clarified that the term of the State party president is three years and not two years.
“My term had ended and this year there was a National Executive Committee held in Delhi where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the extension of the term of J P Nadda till June 24, 2024. Until and unless the central leadership announces the election for the national president we cannot hold elections. So Hek is wrong with his statement,” Mawrie said.
He also recalled how Hek was also party president from 2003-2006 which was a three year term and not two years.
Asked why there was such a division among BJP leaders, Mawrie said that there was no division in the party.
“Everyone has their own inspiration so we can’t stop them from speaking. But from the party in the coming days we will give a direction that one cannot go out to the press and openly speak against the party. As a minister, Hek has to speak about his own department and what development he will bring for the State. For party matters, it is the party who will decide,” said Mawrie.
