Speculation that Mawsynram MLA Himalaya Shangpliang is not satisfied in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) received a boost today when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA for Pynthorumkhrah AL Hek said that the former is interested in joining the saffron outfit.
Shangpliang was the lone opposition legislator who attended a pre-presidential election event for the BJP candidate, and eventual winner, Droupadi Murmu, in Ri-Bhoi. At the time the first-time MLA said that he had only done so as Murmu is a fellow tribal.
Today, Hek said that Shangpliang and other legislators have demonstrated interest in joining the BJP ahead of the 2023 state elections. However, discussions are still at an early stage.
“We had a round of discussions with some of the sitting MLAs and also former MLAs who have shown their willingness to contest from the BJP in the coming election,” Hek said. “But they have not told us their final decision.”
