Has the growing dissidence in the state BJP died down? Not contesting the Lok Sabha elections in Meghalaya was a major setback for the state BJP and its president Rikman G Momin, who was blamed by several state leaders. On Saturday, Momin acknowledged the internal resentment that surfaced after the party’s decision to withdraw from the race, attributing it to the central leadership’s decision of not contesting. He admitted that as State President of BJP, he had to take the blame for the fallout, even though the decision was made at the national level to support NPP candidates.
“We have to get ready for 2028 from right now. Because as you all know, after the last parliamentary elections, we had a little bit of a setback—resentment among our party—for not contesting elections. So, as a state President, I had to take blame for that. But it is due to the alliance with our partner NPP. The BJP central leadership has taken a decision not to contest, to support NPP and its candidates,” said Momin.
Asked if the dissidence within the party had settled, Momin stated, “Those who were opposing, they resigned and they have joined the other parties. At present I don’t see any dissidence right now.”
He emphasized that the BJP is focused on rebuilding its grassroots presence. “The state BJP has 60 mandals and now we are again reorganizing all the booth-level workers. We have started slowly reaching out to the grassroots. Now it’s rainy season, we cannot go meeting them. Definitely, we will not let ourselves idle like that. You have seen BJP work 24×7. We dedicate ourselves. Though we have only two MLAs, still then with their support we are working out. And now we have only two MLAs—I am stating—let the people laugh at us, we will definitely rule the state.”
On challenges the party faces in Meghalaya, Momin pointed to a persistent smear campaign. “Because of false propaganda against BJP on religion-based only. But now people know it—Modi ji is not like that, our central leaders are not like that. We go with all religion. We don’t have any particular religion for this politics.”
He also confirmed the removal of six former members of the BJP Executive Committee. “Some of these people are non-performers and some have shifted to some other party.”
The new BJP state team includes six Vice Presidents:
Khrawboklang Basaiawmoit (Shillong City), Bernard N Marak (Tura City), Er Lakhon Biam (West Jaintia Hills), Dr (Smti) Bernadette Lyngdoh (Shillong City), Bipen Pradhan (Shillong City), and Anil Hajong (Tura City).
Two State General Secretaries: Wankitbok Pohshna (Shillong City) and Amitava Saha (West Garo Hills).
Six State Secretaries: Anzie Ellicia A Sangma (Tura City), Belbora Wankhar (East Khasi Hills), Daniella L Nonglait (Shillong City), Sukhi Pariat (Shillong City), Commanderful Sana (East Jaintia Hills), and Wilber Danngo Marak (Tura City).
Sarwan Jhunjhunwala (Shillong City) serves as State Treasurer, with Ashok Singhania (Shillong City) as Joint Treasurer.
Sabyasachi Ghose (Shillong City) is the Media Convener, Mariahom Kharkrang (Shillong City) is Chief Spokesperson, and Sarad Bawri (Shillong City) is IT Convener.
Fredee Aaron Kahit (Shillong City) is Social Media Convener, Dipika Dey (Shillong City) is Office Secretary, and Deeya Singh Rathore (Shillong City) serves as State Cells Convener.
