This story is from November 22, 2017

BJP to fight Meghalaya polls alone, says state party president

After consolidating power in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, BJP is ready to go it alone in the Meghalaya assembly election.
BJP to fight Meghalaya polls alone, says state party president
GUWAHATI: After consolidating power in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, BJP is ready to go it alone in the Meghalaya assembly election.
“NPP is part of the NDA in Delhi. In Meghalaya, we are preparing to fight on our own. All our energy and efforts are focussed on winning people’s trust. Over the months, our party’s organizational strength and acceptance among the people has been on the rise. We are confident BJP will be able to do well in the assembly on our own,” president of the Meghalaya unit of BJP Shibun Lyngdoh said.
Party insiders, in the meantime, said post-poll alliances will be considered only on the basis of performance in the election.
Regional parties in the state are emerging as strong political forces in the hill districts. NPP, for instance, is a strong contender in the Garo Hills. In Khasi and Jaintia Hills as well, other regional parties are gaining ground as viable alternatives to the ruling Congress, which is grappling with anti-incumbency factor.
NPP, founded by PA Sangma in 2013, nearly decimated Congress in 24 assembly segments in the 2016 Tura Lok Sabha byelection. Conrad Sangma defeated Mukul Sangma’s wife Dikkanchi D Shira to win the Tura seat.
BJP is confident of its prospects in the Christianmajority state. However, some political experts feel the insecurity among Christians about saffron rule has not died yet, especially following changes in the rules regarding cattle slaughter and cow vigilantism. BJP is trying hard to shed that image, asserting that it will not interfere in social and religious practices of the people.
However, political observers are of the opinion that BJP has to take the help of regional parties, especially NPP, to form the government.
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