Shillong, October 3: The BJP’s expanding footprint in Meghalaya and the wider Northeast gathered further momentum on Saturday with former Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) Chief Executive Member and Jowai South MDC Moonlight Pariat joining the party, adding another political figure to the BJP camp as it seeks to consolidate its position ahead of the 2028 Assembly election. Pariat was six times MDC joined BJP along with his supporters. He was inducted by State BJP President Rikman G Momin, Two sitting legislators from BJP AL Hek and Sanbor Shullai. State BJP spokesperson M Kharkrang, two former legislators M Rapsang and Jemino Mawthoh beside others.
Pariat, an Independent MDC from Jowai South and a constituent of the NPP-led ruling coalition in the JHADC, had unsuccessfully contested the 2023 Meghalaya Assembly election as a United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate. His entry comes amid a steady churn in Meghalaya’s political landscape, with the BJP emerging from a two-MLA presence to become the second-largest party in the 60-member Assembly following the recent entry of eight sitting UDP legislators.
The eight UDP legislators — Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen Shylla, Ollan Singh Suin, Mathew Beyondstar Kurbah, Mayralborn Syiem, Pius Marwein, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy — joined the BJP in New Delhi last month, taking the party’s Assembly strength from two to 10. The BJP had earlier inducted former MLAs Mohendro Rapsang and Jemino Mawthoh, widening its political network beyond its existing legislative base.
Welcoming Pariat into the party, Momin said his decision reflected trust in the BJP’s vision and would bring his political experience and grassroots connect into the party’s organisational efforts.
“His joining marks an important moment for us and we look forward to working together in the spirit of service, development and unity. His experience and connect with grassroots and his willingness to work for Meghalaya’s development will strengthen our collective mission,” Momin said.
Hek said the BJP’s expansion should be accompanied by greater responsibility at the grassroots and called upon party workers to actively reach out to voters ahead of the next Assembly election.
“This is a short decided that nobody can stop in 2028 it will be BJP led Government in Meghalaya but it is the duty and responsibility of each BJP Karyakarta to take responsibility cannot leave it to the leadership, it is our duty to ensure that we reach out to the people to strengthen our party,” Hek said.
The developments have altered the political arithmetic in Meghalaya and underline the BJP’s attempt to turn its growing organisational presence in the Northeast into a more substantial electoral base. From being a marginal force in the Meghalaya State Assembly, the party now has a significantly larger legislative footprint, with its latest expansion coming well before the 2028 electoral battle.
Sources said the State BJP leadership was in touch with several former legislators and Members of District Councils, while feelers had also emerged from some sitting MLAs. Any further movement of sitting legislators, however, is expected only towards the end of 2027 or closer to the 2028 Assembly election, sources said.
Meanwhile, the BJP has postponed the proposed felicitation programme for its eight newly inducted MLAs schedule to held on Monday October 5th until further orders. The programme was postponed because of the schedule visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
