SHILLONG, June 23: In a major boost to the electoral prospects of the BJP in Meghalaya, former legislator Mohendro Rapsang joined the saffron party on Tuesday, ending months of political speculation following his resignation from the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) earlier this year.
Rapsang’s induction comes as the BJP intensifies efforts to expand its political footprint in the State ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. The former West Shillong MLA’s entry is being viewed as a significant addition to the party’s organisational and electoral strategy as it seeks to strengthen its presence across key constituencies in Meghalaya.
Welcoming Rapsang into the party, Meghalaya BJP president Rikman G. Momin indicated that more political leaders are likely to join the BJP in the coming days.
“Most probably this week. I will not able to reveal much but the joining into BJP will go on,” Momin said when asked about future inductions into the party.
Commenting on Rapsang’s entry into the BJP, Momin said, “Rapsang joined BJP formally we are going to work together.”
On whether Rapsang had been assured a party ticket for the next Assembly election, Momin ruled out any such commitment.
“We never assured ticket to anyone. In BJP every one is welcome to join the party. Whenever Good leaders join naturally the party will grow,” he said.
Amid reports that some BJP leaders were unhappy with the party leadership and had skipped the induction programme, Momin sought to dispel speculation surrounding the absence of former Meghalaya BJP president and West Shillong leader Ernest Mawrie.
“Mawrie was scheduled to visit Kolkata and presently he is not in station but the former president has send good wishes,” Momin said.
Momin said the BJP’s objective was to expand its reach among the people and ensure that Central welfare schemes reached intended beneficiaries across the State.
“We welcome everyone, so that the schemes Government of India has already alloted to Meghalaya reaches concern beneficiary,” he said.
The State BJP chief said the party remained focused on strengthening its organisational base and expanding its support across constituencies.
“In politics every party wants its own party to grow, we never underestimate other political party. As a BJP we will work to win the constituency. There is no question of Rapsang, Mawrie or Paul because as a party we are going to work together to win the election,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters after joining the BJP, Mohendro Rapsang said his decision was guided by political considerations and future electoral prospects.
“I joined the BJP for growth. West Shillong constituency is an unreserved general constituency,” he said.
Asked whether joining the BJP would help him electorally, Rapsang replied, “It will help why not?”
On whether senior UDP leader and former Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh would pose a challenge in West Shillong, Rapsang said electoral contests were inherently competitive.
“See elections is every time is a challenged for anybody. If the party wants me to contest the elections I will contest,” he said.
Responding to a question on whether perceptions of violence and discrimination against Christians could affect the BJP’s electoral prospects in Meghalaya, Rapsang dismissed the suggestion and maintained that it would have no bearing on his political future.
Rapsang resigned from the NPP on February 11, describing the move as a personal and strategic decision. While he had previously maintained that he was weighing his political options amid speculation over a possible switch to the BJP, Tuesday’s induction formally aligned him with the party as it steps up preparations for the 2028 Assembly elections. The former legislator had contested the 2023 Assembly elections on a National People’s Party (NPP) ticket but was defeated by UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh in the West Shillong constituency.
