Shillong, Oct 24: Former Meghalaya Minister Ismail R. Marak on Saturday joined the BJP in a bid to boost the party’s base in Garo Hills.
Marak was inducted in Tura in presence of BJP Meghalaya in-charge and MP Kanad Purkayastha, state co-in-charge Numal Momin and state president Rikman G. Momin.
A veteran from Rongram, Marak was elected MLA in 2008 and GHADC member from Asanang in 2015 and later served as transport minister.
In 2023, Marak joined the TMC ahead of the Assembly elections.
In June 2026, the Enforcement Directorate provisionally attached immovable property valued at Rs 40 lakh registered in Marak’s name, stating that the action was linked to the alleged misappropriation of development funds by him.
Welcoming him, BJP said his entry will add political and organisational strength in Garo Hills, a key region in the state’s politics.
The central leadership has tasked Marak with overseeing future inductions into the party in the region to coordinate new entries and expand the network.
His induction comes as BJP seeks to expand in Meghalaya, where regional parties continue to dominate despite the party’s wider footprint in the Northeast.
