TURA, Feb 25 - While it may be too early for other political parties to sound the poll gong, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by its new State president Shibun Lyngdoh has made their intentions clear on the road ahead for the party in the coming elections in 2018.
In a press briefing at Tura Circuit House on Wednesday during a three-day visit by president and senior members of the State BJP, the party announced its intention of contesting all 24 seats in Garo Hills.
The BJP leaders undertook a tour of the Garo Hills with visits to the plain belt region of Phulbari and Ampati besides tribal-dominated hill areas to meet with people at the grassroot level.
�We want to bring about an overall development of the State, irrespective of caste, creed or religion,� said Shibun in his press statement. The BJP accused the Meghalaya Government of failing in its objectives stating that their visit has exposed how lopsided development was in the region.
�Most Central benefits don�t reach the grassroot levels and there is a breakdown of law and order. There is no sign of development reaching the people who need it the most�, added Shibun.
�We received many complaints during our visit, from the public regarding the poor condition of the roads maintained by the State PWD and there was a general fear in the minds of the people owing to the deteriorating law and order problem. We will take up these matters with the State Government and also notify the Centre about the situation in the Garo Hills,� the BJP State president said.
Further the BJP stated that numerous complaints had come from Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers who said they have not received their remuneration over many months.
Talking on the controversial beef ban, another BJP leader explained that the ban was a State matter and not something that could be imposed. �Take the example of Goa, a Christian State with a BJP-led government. Where is the ban imposition there?�, he asked.
