Jolt to Cong as 5 MLAs join BJP in Meghalaya

Guwahati: In what may be called a major political setback for the ruling Congress in the run up to the Assembly polls in the frontier state of Meghalaya, its four legislators, including one of the seniormost leaders Alexander L. Hek, joined the BJP on Tuesday.

Apart from Mr Hek, former deputy speaker Sanbor Shullai and two Independents — Justine Dkhar and Robinus Syngkon — joined the party at a public rally.

In what will add more strength to the saffron party in the run up to the Assembly elections this year in the Christian state, another member of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Hambertus Nongtdu also joined the BJP.

In-charge of the BJP in Meghalaya, Union minister of state for tourism K.J. Alphons, who was also present on the occasion, said that the BJP is all set to “throw” the Congress out of power in Meghalaya.

“We are going to throw the most corrupt government in Meghalaya (from power)... This is just the beginning,” said Mr Alphons while welcoming the new entrants.

Addressing a public rally, Mr Alphons said, “You have been ruled by the Congress which deprived you of what you deserved. Your ministers have stolen your money. This has to stop.”