A day after former Mawsynram MLA Himalaya M. Shangpliang accused State BJP president Ernest Mawrie of appointing his wife as general secretary of the BJP women’s wing, the party has reacted by terming the allegation as a calculated strategy by Shangpliang to dishonour Mawrie.
“It is a calculated strategy of Shangpliang to dishonour the State BJP president, and to justify deserting the party by putting the blame on others. He had made similar statements and accusations when he left two political parties within the last year for his deemed political gains and never ending search for greener pastures,” BJP Mahila Morcha president Susuki Pariat Pariat said in a statement today.
Pariat said that Mawrie had appointed her as State BJP Mahila Morcha president and the State Mahila Morcha Executive Committee was constituted by her in consultation with the office bearers as conferred and required by the party constitution on July 3, 2023 and not by Mawrie as alleged by Shangpliang.
Pariat further clarified that three general secretaries of the Mahila Morcha were nominated as per the norms and guidelines. These include Dakaniwan Shullai who was appointed as the main general secretary with the responsibility of maintaining and preparing all effective reports and Matilda Kharbuki and Grace Lanong who have been assigned to assist Shullai.
“It is highly pertinent to state here that Matilda Kharbuki, general secretary Mahila Morcha, is one of the oldest BJP members who had joined the party during the tenure of the former BJP state president Khlur Singh Lyngdoh and she has held several posts such as State Mahila Morcha vice president, general secretary and treasurer under the tenure of another former BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh,” Pariat said.
She also asked, “How is the appointment of a senior party member Matilda Kharbuki, who has been an office-bearer of the State BJP, holding various important offices of the party during the term of three different BJP state presidents, ‘nepotism’ as alleged by Shangpliang?”
“These baseless and opportunistic allegations are highly irresponsible and inappropriate on the part of Shangpliang. The entire State Mahila Morcha executive committee testifies that they have not been nominated by the State president Ernest Mawrie as alleged by Shangpliang with some hidden motive or agenda,” Pariat said.
She also reiterated that no one in the State BJP Mahila Morcha has been nominated on nepotism basis either by Mawrie or by her.
“The BJP is not for petty politics or to promote filial ties. We are for the development and progress of our State and to bring peace and prosperity to our people,” Pariat further added.