A REPORTER
SHILLONG: If the majority of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leaders and functionaries want AL Hek to be the party's president then there is no harm in such a move, thus stated BJP National Council member, Bashailang Khongwir.
On Meghalaya BJP president Ernest Mawrie's statement on dual post, Khongwir said that Tripura Chief Minister was also the State president of the party, while a Nagaland Minister still holds the post of president, adding that there are several other instances of leaders holding dual posts. He pointed out that decisions on this score are taken as per the needs and demands of the respective State.
But since Meghalaya has to gear up for the Assembly elections from early next year, the national party leaders could take a call to appoint Bah Hek as the State's party president due to his experience, credibility and support from the State party leaders and workers.
Such a demand from the party's State members could pave the way for AL Hek to take over the presidentship only till the conclusion of the elections. Just because leaders or party 'karyakartas' want change of State party president that doesn't mean that their action is against the saffron party.
However Bah Bashailang Khongwir said that Mawrie as the party president in Meghalaya should exercise maturity and try to resolve the pressing issues within the party rather than threatening disciplinary action of his own party members.
''If the party members and leaders keep resigning then we will also have difficulties in re-grouping party 'karyakartas' for the all important State elections.
''As on date, 25 important party office bearers of the State, districts and mandals have resigned in just a short span of less than a year,'' he said, adding, ''The president of the party should work in tandem with State legislators and resolve differences.''
He further said that insofar as the party's constitution is concerned, there are many criteria to be met before taking any disciplinary action. A State functionary can appeal to the central disciplinary committee, as the final decision lies with the National Executive.
He further said that 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 party's machinery at the State level starts to fully function as one unit.
''I request Mawrie to act swiftly against those who have recently levelled some allegations against our national vice president and State in-charge as such an action is a big insult to our party. The remarks were highly defamatory,'' he added.
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