SHILLONG, JUN 23: Former West Shillong legislator Mohendro Rapsang formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the party’s commitment to public welfare as his reasons for the switch.
Rapsang was welcomed into the party by BJP Meghalaya state president Rikman G Momin and cabinet minister Sanbor Shullai in the presence of party leaders and workers at the induction ceremony.
Addressing the gathering after joining, Rapsang said the PM’s vision inspired him to return to active public service. “The members of the state BJP and Mondal who are here and all well wishers who are with me today to join this grand party. As I take this step I am honored to join the BJP today on June 23 and stand among the pillars of strong and prosperous India,” Rapsang said.
He added, “Under the visionary and dynamic leadership of our prime minister Narendra Modiji India is progressing with strength, confidence and global respect. His commitment to nation building, efforts in transforming India into a prosperous and self-reliant country inspired me to dedicate myself to continue public service.”
Rapsang said he would focus on people’s aspirations in his new political innings.
“The BJP has made it clear that we must listen to the aspirations of the people and that’s the objective I will take forward and committedly to working sincerely for the welfare of the people,” he stated.
“I extend my gratitude to the members of this great party for welcoming me into this great family. I will work for the progress of our state, our nation and I seek the support and blessing of everyone as I begin this new journey. I will strive to make our journey together, a story of progress, prosperity and a pride for Meghalaya and India,” Rapsang said.
BJP state president Rikman G Momin welcomed Rapsang and said the party would work together to strengthen its base in the constituency.
“We welcome former MLA Mohendro Rapsang. He has joined BJP today formally and we are going to work together,” Momin said.
On former state president Ernest Mawrie’s absence, Momin said, “You were asking about the former president of the party Ernest Mawrie, see he has already proposed to go to Kolkata, so he is on his way to Kolkata, he is not in station. So he actually gave good wishes to Rapsang.”Asked about tickets for upcoming polls, Momin clarified the BJP’s stand: “We never assure tickets because in BJP everyone is welcome to strengthen the party.”
He added, “A good leader and prominent leader joining naturally will help the party to grow.”
Momin also underlined the party’s electoral focus. “In politics, every party wants its own party to grow. So we never underestimate other political parties. As a BJP, we will work and we will work to win. There is no question of Paul, Rapsang or Mawrie or anybody else so as a party we are going to work together to win the constituency.”
On further inductions, the state president said, “In politics, everyday joining is there so whenever there are people who want to join we accept. We welcome everyone. Anyone can come and join BJP to strengthen the party and to bring up the party so that the schemes, projects which the government of India has already allotted to Meghalaya will reach the concerned beneficiaries.”
Asked if more former MLAs were in talks to join, Momin said: “I will not be able to reveal now but joining will be ongoing.”
Rapsang, a former Congress MLA, had quit the party before the 2023 Assembly polls and contested from West Shillong on a National People’s Party ticket but lost to UDP’s Paul Lyngdoh.
