SHILLONG: Allegations of nepotism within the leadership of state’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made headlines in the state on Wednesday. This development unfolded after Himalaya Shangpliang, a prominent leader of the state BJP, submitted his resignation from the party, citing concerns of undue favoritism among the party’s leadership.
In his resignation letter, Shangpliang highlighted that nepotism within the party’s state leadership is hampering the growth of “dedicated and loyal party members” and unless the issue is addressed, “it will continue to obstruct the party’s progress”.
Hours after Shangpliang’s resignation, state BJP president Ernest Mawrie responding to the allegation, refuted these claims emphasising that the BJP maintains transparency and fairness in its operations.
“’If you go through the dictionary, nepotism means I’m favouring my relatives, my close friends, but here in the BJP office there is no Mawrie. There is no nepotism in here,” he told the press.
Though he refrained from commenting on the exact reason for Shangpliang leaving BJP, Mawrie said that Shangpliang had expressed his willingness to contest the Lok Sabha elections. “I had told him when the time comes, we will recommend his name. However, he made a request for the BJP to organise a meeting involving all coalition partners in the MDA 2 government to consider nominating a joint candidate from the BJP for the upcoming LS Polls; a proposal that didn’t deemed feasible,” he said.
Mawrie, however, stated that the state BJP has faced similar situations in the past, and has taken up the issue with the core committee.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister and senior leader of the state BJP, AL Hek, informed the local press that Shangpliang’s resignation primarily stemmed from concerns regarding the party leadership’s operational approach.
“Yesterday, during a discussion in my office, Shangpliang informed me of his decision to resign from the party. When I inquired about the reasons, he cited concerns related to Mawrie’s leadership style,” he stated.
