GUWAHATI: In a strategic move ahead of the assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced significant changes in its leadership in the Northeastern states.
BJP national president JP Nadda, on Friday, released a new list of in-charges and co-in-charges for 24 states and Union Territories, with major shake-ups in the Northeast to strengthen its position in the region.
One of the most notable changes is the appointment of Anil Antony, a prominent Christian leader, as the new in-charge of Nagaland and Meghalaya.
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Antony replaces Chouba Singh and Nalin Kohli in these Christian-dominated states.
This move comes after the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) faced setbacks in both states during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Political observers suggest that Antony’s appointment aims to address the discontent among Christians in Nagaland and Meghalaya, especially in light of the ethnic violence in Manipur.
Antony’s dual role signifies the BJP’s intent to foster stronger political engagement with the Christian community in these states.
Of late, the community has expressed dissatisfaction with certain actions of the party in the region, such as the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024.
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Additionally, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently stirred controversy by alleging that people from a dominant religion didn’t vote for the BJP in Nagaland and Meghalaya during the 18th Lok Sabha elections, a statement that drew criticism from regional parties of both the states.
In addition to Antony’s appointment, BJP President Nadda named Assam minister Ashok Singhal as the party’s in-charge for Arunachal Pradesh.
Dr. Ajit Gopchade, a sitting Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra, will oversee the party’s activities in Manipur, while Devesh Kumar, a member of the legislative council in Bihar, has been given responsibility for Mizoram.
Furthermore, former Union minister V. Muraleedharan has been appointed co-in-charge of the Northeast, replacing party national secretary Rituraj Sinha.
MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra will continue to serve as the in-charge of the region.
