Shillong, June 14: BJP state president Ernest Mawrie said the party will take a call on whether to pull out of the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government in the upcoming national executive meeting to be held soon in Hyderabad.

“This matter will be discussed again in the national executive meeting in Hyderabad. In that meeting, we will take a call because they will call for a report from Meghalaya and I will present that report,” Mawrie told reporters at a news conference here on Tuesday.

He informed that some of the party karyakartas from the various districts have expressed the need for the party to come out and withdraw support to the MDA government during the state executive committee held on May 25, in the presence of BJP national general secretary (organization) Ajay Jamal.

“As the state president along with the general secretary (organization), we have given a clear statement that this matter has to be taken by the central leadership,” Mawrie said while adding “We have already communicated to them (centre) and it is their prerogative to give the direction on whether we should remain with the government or we will withdraw support. Therefore, we are waiting for the decision of the central leadership.”

When asked about the views of the two MLAs of the party, the BJP state president said, “Both MLAs – Sanbor Shullai and AL Hek – have to wait for the decision from the centre. Whatever decision taken by the centre, as you know we are a cadre based party, we always follow the system of the party and the decision of our national president.”

Referring to the statement of the NPP leader and Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira that his party has been tolerating the state BJP for levelling corruption allegations against the MDA government, Mawrie said that may be the personal opinion of Shira but the matter will also be reported to the national executive meeting.

“Let me report all the things in the national executive committee where they will call for a report from each and every state so that also will be part of the report,” he said.

On Congress chief Vincent Pala’s allegation that the MDA along with its coalition partners including BJP are “divided”, the BJP leader however reminded that his party was successful in its mission ‘mukt Congress bharat’ and now the Congress is nowhere.

He, however, informed that they are yet to have the MDA coordination committee meeting to apprise any grievance.

“And till today we have not seen any partners of the MDA that they want to withdraw support,” he said while reiterating that decision to pull out is not in their hands but the prerogative of the central leadership.

Informing that the party is gearing up its preparation for the upcoming 2023 Assembly elections, Mawrie said that the party has already prepared a roadmap and has started campaigning across the state.

He further informed that over 700 people have joined the BJP in Mahendraganj and that this was a good sign for the party in the Garo Hills region. “We are really working hard to prepare for the elections and we hope with all these yojanas (schemes) provided by our Prime Minister have reached to the people and to the poorest of the poor people in the state – this will help us to prepare the roadmap for the upcoming elections,” he said.

Further, the BJP state president informed that the party has so far identified 35 candidates for the upcoming polls. These include 15 in category A, 10 – B and 10 – C, he said.

When asked, Mawrie said at least two sitting MLAs are likely to join the party. “Due to the 10th Schedule, they cannot join now and I think by the end of July (there may be some joining taking place),” he said.