After Assam, BJP sets sights on Manipur and Meghalaya

GUWAHATI: After capturing Congress-stronghold Assam, BJP is now targeting the two other Congress-ruled states, Manipur and Meghalaya, where Assembly polls are to be held in 2017 and 2018.
In Arunachal Pradesh, BJP is lending support from outside to the Kaliho Pul-led government, whereas in Nagaland, it is part of the ruling coalition. Tripura is under Left rule, while Mizoram is under the Congress.

Last year BJP made its way into Manipur Assembly by winning two seats. BJP is all set to launch 'Mission Manipur' for the civic polls to be held on June 2. The party has also appointed a new party president, Khetrimayum Bhabananda, for Manipur.

Prahlad Singh Patel, BJP's incharge for Manipur told ET, "We have won two seats in the bypolls and will win the civic polls. We now have a strong organisation base. We will form the first BJP government in January next year."

Lately, dissent has brewing within the almost 15-year-old Okram Ibobi Singh-led government. It was checked to some extent by reshuffling the cabinet and replacing the Pradesh Congress chief.

Powerful civil society groups, favouring a special permit system for outsiders, have urged the state government to exclude non-Manipuris from participating in the June 2 Imphal Municipal Council elections. There is an agitation going on demanding the introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP).

In the recently held byelection for the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya, National People's Party (NPP) candidate, Conrad K Sangma, defeated ruling Congress candidate Dikkanchi D Shira, wife of Mukul Sangma. Tura in the Garo Hills was considered to be a stronghold of Mukul. NPP is a partner of NDA.

Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president DD Lapang will meet the AICC chief Sonia Gandhi to submit a report on the defeat.

Several MLAs are now looking forward to the Congress Legislature Party meeting to voice their grievances. "The defeat reflects the mood of the people in the state and puts a question mark on the leadership of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma," said a senior Congress leader.

Nalin Kohli, national spokesperson of BJP and in-charge of Meghalaya, said that the result of the bypoll shows that Congress is crumbling in the state.