Shillong, Dec 14: Four including three former legislators and one sitting Independent legislator on Wednesday formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi.

The three former MLAs – HM Shangpliang (Mawsynram), Benedic R Marak (Raksamgre) and Ferlin CA Sangma (Selsella) – and Independent MLA from Baghmara Samuel M. Sangma – were welcomed and felicitated by Rajya Sabha MP, Anil Baluni in the presence of Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sharma, national spokesperson and NE Incharge, Sambit Patra, national secretary of the BJP, Rituraj Sinha, state party president, Ernest Mawrie, and other senior functionaries of the party.

Addressing media persons, Rituraj Sinha stated that the BJP campaign ‘Modi for Development, BJP for Meghalaya’ is going on in full-swing in Meghalaya, and the state is ready to join the PM Narendra Modi’s vision for North East and become part of the resulting development and growth.

He welcomed the MLAs and said the party will grow even stronger with their presence and support. Sambit Patra spoke about the political careers of the joining MLAs and expressed confidence that with their support Meghalaya will also experience the same development that other North Eastern states are experiencing under various BJP governments.

Himanta Biswa Sharma said that 3 BJP state governments in the NE have been elected twice consecutively and this goes on to show that the acceptance of the BJP in the region has become permanent.

He said that to carry the momentum forward, the BJP is now preparing for the elections in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland.

He said in Meghalaya, BJP will take its tally from 2 MLAs at present to forming a government that will further the welfare policies of PM Narendra Modi in the state.

Upon joining, HM Shangpliang stated that the BJP was growing very rapidly in Meghalaya.

He said that the people of the state were impressed by the developmental politics of the BJP and PM Narendra Modi. Comparing Meghalaya with other BJP ruled states in the NE, Shangpliang said that the people can see what they are missing out.

He said Guwahati is the fastest growing city today (whereas Shillong and Tura have been left behind). Meghalaya needs good roads, good housing policies, good education system, good health system, and overall development and all this is possible only under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. He said that all four MLAs have committed to serve the people of the state under the banner of BJP.