Former UDP leader formally joins BJP, describes move as biggest political leap of his career

Shillong, September 12: Former Nongthymmai legislator and United Democratic Party (UDP) general secretary Dr Jemino Mawthoh formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday at the party’s state headquarters at Bivar Road, Polo.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Mawthoh expressed gratitude to BJP leaders and party workers for the warm welcome extended to him. He said BJP leader M.H. Kharkrang had approached him after his resignation from the UDP.

Dr Mawthoh said several senior BJP leaders had also invited him to join the party, while acknowledging that switching political parties was not an easy decision.

Describing the BJP as the “right choice”, he termed his decision to join the party the “biggest leap” of his political career. He expressed confidence that Meghalaya would witness a major political transformation in the 2028 Assembly elections and said the BJP was looking forward to forming the government in the state.

Dr Mawthoh said the transformation witnessed across India since 2014, including changes in policies and programmes, infrastructure development, digital payment systems and the vision of building a “Viksit Bharat”, had influenced his decision to join the BJP.

Pynthorumkhrah MLA and senior BJP leader A.L. Hek said Delhi-based BJP leader Rituraj Sinha had been in contact with Dr Mawthoh since 2021 and had encouraged him to join the party.

Hek expressed hope that Meghalaya would have a BJP-led government in 2028 if the party and its workers strengthened their efforts across the state.

Meghalaya BJP president Riman Momin urged party workers to renew their commitment to public service and contribute towards the vision of building a developed India.