No harm for Hek to take over as BJP state president: Khongwir

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 4, 2021

BJP National Council member,  Bashailang Khongwir said there is no harm for cabinet minister AL Hek to take over as state president if he is having the support of majority of the state party leaders and functionaries.

Khongwir said that Tripura Chief Minister was also the state president, while a Nagaland Minister still holds the post of president and there are several other instances of dual posts and that these are decisions taken as per the needs and demands of the state.  

He was reacting to the BJP state president Ernest Mawrie’s statement regarding dual post issue. 

Stating that Meghalaya has to gear up its preparation for the assembly elections from early next year, Khongwir said the national leaders could take a call to appoint Hek as president due to his experience, credibility and support of state party leaders and workers.

He added, such a state demand could pave way for Hek to take over the presidentship only till the conclusions of the elections. 

On the other hand, Khongwir said just because leaders or party karyakartas want change of president that doesn’t mean that is anti-party.

According to him, Mawrie as president should exercise maturity to try and resolve the pressing issues within the party rather than threatening disciplinary action of our own party members. 

“If party members and leaders keep resigning then we will also have difficulties in re grouping party karyakartas for the all important state elections. As it is 25 important party office bearers of state , district and mandals have resigned in just a short span of less than a year,” he said. 

“The president of the party is supposed to work in tandem with state legislators and resolve differences as far as my experience with the party and its affairs,” he added.

As for the party’s constitution is concerned, Khongwir said there are many criteria to be met before taking any disciplinary action. a state functionary can appeal  to central disciplinary committee, as the final decision lies with National Executive.

He said it is in the best interest of the party that instead of labelling these moves as anti-party activities or initiating disciplinary proceedings, our president should listen to the woes of the party leaders and workers and try to resolve the pressing problems so that the state party machinery starts to fully functioning as one unit. 

“To start with, I would rather request Mawrie to act swiftly against those who have recently levelled some allegations against our national Vice President and State in-charge as it was a big insult to our party as the remark was highly defamatory in nature,” Khongwir stated.