Will the BJP supporters in Meghalaya support the NPP candidates in Shillong and Tura parliamentary constituencies in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections?
Sources said that party workers and supporters of the BJP in the State are divided on whether or not to support the NPP candidates – Ampareen Lyngdoh (Shillong seat) and Agatha Sangma (Tura seat) in the polls.
It may be mentioned that the BJP has decided not to field any candidates for the Lok Sabha polls in Meghalaya scheduled to be held on April 19. The saffron party has however decided to support the NPP which is an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
However, the announcement by the central leadership of the party has caused confusion among party supporters and workers who are used to voting for the ‘Lotus’ symbol.
According to a number of BJP workers, there is apparent hesitation by them to vote for any other party other than their own.
The hesitation is palpable especially in North Shillong, Laban and Pynthorumkhrah constituencies under the Shillong parliamentary constituency and also in North Tura and South Tura constituencies under Tura parliamentary constituency.
Since these Assembly constituencies have a sizable population of non-tribal voters most of whom are BJP supporters, it is the NPP that is worried.
The NPP does not want the BJP supporters to stay away from voting. It also does not want them to shift their support to the Congress.
NPP leaders are putting the responsibility on the BJP to convince these voters to vote for the ‘Book’.
Yesterday, NPP national president and State Chief Minister Conrad Sangma met with top BJP leaders in the State and requested them to work hard and ensure that BJP workers vote for the NPP candidates.
Although NPP is a constituent of the BJP-led NDA, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is unlikely to undertake any election campaign in Meghalaya.
Reports said that Shah would address an election rally at Aalo in West Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh on April 6, and also tour Tripura on April 7-8 to campaign for BJP candidates in these two states.
