Rikman takes charge as new BJP Meghalaya president

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Oct 3: Rikman G Momin today took over charge as the new BJP state president in Meghalaya and termed his job as very challenging.

“I am taking charge as the state president. I am ready to strengthen the party with the help of all karyakartas,” Momin told reporters. 

On the other priorities, the new state president said, “My duty is to strengthen the party, my job is to look after the party other than that what will I have?”

Momin also termed the president’s post as very challenging and said, “We have two MLAs. It is a team work but our vote share has already gone up significantly. Next time, we will try to win more than two seats.”

He informed that the state party is waiting for the order of the central leadership to start the preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to be held next year.

Further, Momin claimed that in people’s minds, there is still hope for the BJP because Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working for the poor people. 

He said the party under his leadership will ensure the central schemes reach the entire state of Meghalaya.

Meanwhile, the state president said that the party has zero tolerance against corruption adding that the party will continue to raise questions against any allegation of corruption against the MDA government.

“Regarding MDA it is part and parcel of the party so in case if there is any allegation there is a platform to question it,” he added.

Former state president Ernest Mawrie said, “My term is over and I have completed my term very successfully and changing of the state president has taken place in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Puducherry.”

He said it is the rule of the party that when his term is over the new president will take over while denying the allegation that his removal was due to too many complaints against him. 

Mawrie said he will continue to work for the party.

“I will continue to be a party karyakarta. I will work with the president along with the MLA and party. We will work on how to win the election,” he said.

Meanwhile, the former state president informed that the party has decided to strengthen its organization as part of preparing for the Lok Sabha election. 

“We have decided this time we are serious we want to win all 25 seats. Some states are NEDA alliance but some states are all BJP. We want to win so that we can bring more development to the NE,” he added.

AIM against gambling in melas

The Awakening Indian Movement (AIM) has sought the intervention of the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district to ensure a blanket ban on gambling at melas being organized by different agencies.

Speaking to media persons, chairman of AIM Bansharai Marbaniang said that many people from other part of the country come to Meghalaya to host various kinds of melas, however these melas have games that encourage gambling with money which is detrimental and have a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

Marbaniang alleged that melas throughout the country are being held in order to provide entertainment to all citizens where they can experience happiness especially for children, students, and youth but at present melas in Meghalaya are being held with gambling which have detrimental and a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

“During our visit to the mela held at the Parking Lot outside Polo Ground in Shillong, the mela hosted various gambling activities with money and young people and students in uniform participated in various gambling games” said Marbaniang.

Marbaniang said that AIM is not against organizing melas in the state, however it stands against the act of gambling that is being held at the venues hence the AIM sought the intervention into this matter.