Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur on Friday identified a communication deficit rather than organisational weakness as the principal factor limiting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s growth in Meghalaya, asserting that party workers were actively building support across the State and expressing confidence that the BJP could secure a double-digit tally in the 2028 Assembly elections. Drawing parallels with the party’s rise in West Bengal, he said the BJP’s challenge in Meghalaya stemmed largely from the State’s difficult terrain, which makes political outreach and dissemination of information about Central government initiatives more challenging.
Addressing a press conference, Thakur said Meghalaya’s geographical conditions posed a unique challenge for political mobilisation compared to West Bengal, where easier connectivity enabled people to directly experience and understand the initiatives undertaken by the Narendra Modi-led government.
“The lowland that is West Bengal, geographically it is easier to move every where and people get the information what actually did by the Modi government, therefore, BJP formed government in West Bengal, Meghalaya is geographically difficult to move, roam around, so I think this is one kind of challenge for BJP in Meghalaya,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Thakur expressed optimism about the BJP’s prospects in the State and said sustained efforts by party workers would eventually translate into electoral gains.
“It will be possible for BJP to get double digit seat in 2028 Assembly elections, BJP workers are working tirelessly and trying to build up support for BJP in the state,” he said.
Recalling the party’s earlier struggles in West Bengal, he said the BJP had once faced a situation similar to that in Meghalaya before gradually expanding its support base by convincing people about the performance of the National Democratic Alliance government.
“In West Bengal also one point of Time BJP was struggling, the party was in same position as in Meghalaya, but BJP made people believe that NDA government is trusted worthy and soon this will be replicate even in Meghalaya. How BJP working Nationally they are faster and working in every sector if Meghalaya gets touch of that obviously, BJP will perform…. The workers and the karyatartas are not lagging behind but it’s lack of communication that is hindering the growth of BJP in Meghalaya,” The BJP leader said.
Responding to a question on the BJP’s acceptance in the Christian-majority State, Thakur said political loyalties built over decades could not be altered overnight, but maintained that the party would strengthen its position in the years ahead.
“One this was not possible to get result in every state, BJP will perform better in Meghalaya in near future. For long time Christians leaders were with Congress and this will take time but eventually they will come along. We are trying to make them believe that Modi government is well performing and with the people,” he said.
Highlighting the Centre’s focus on the North-East in the last 12 years, Thakur said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was committed to ensuring the development of every State in the region and expressed satisfaction with the implementation of Centrally sponsored schemes in Meghalaya.
“In North East zone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi desires to develop every state in the North East, so getting better performance since he has taken over 12 years back as the Prime Minister,” he added.
The press conference was also attended by Meghalaya BJP president Rikman G. Momin, party spokesperson M. Kharkrang and other leaders.
