SHILLONG, June 12 — Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur on Friday declined to confirm reports that five Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLAs from Meghalaya may join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying any decision would be taken by the party’s central leadership. “This is not my decision,” he told reporters, while adding that the “BJP doors were open” for the TMC legislators.
Thakur framed the possible defections as a consequence of TMC’s internal problems rather than BJP poaching, blaming corruption within the Mamata Banerjee-led party for its electoral setbacks. “I think the corruption within the Trinamool Congress is one of the reasons why it lost elections,” he said, suggesting the reported shifts reflect TMC’s collapse in some areas.
While he stopped short of confirming talks or a formal switch, Thakur said elected representatives remain welcome at official events and government programmes. He declined to say whether the MLAs would join the BJP, stressing that such moves are a matter for party leadership. Speculation of defections has increased in Shillong, but neither the BJP nor the TMC MLAs involved have issued public statements. Political insiders say central leaders of both parties are quietly weighing the risks and rewards of any switch that could alter Meghalaya’s political balance.
Thakur portrayed the BJP’s strategy in the state as long-term and development-focused rather than driven by short-term campaigning. “If the people of Meghalaya experience that development, naturally they will repose their faith in the BJP,” he said, arguing that visible progress would win voters’ trust. He acknowledged the party’s slower growth in Meghalaya, attributing it to geography and communication challenges, but insisted state workers remain committed.
Pointing to the central government’s emphasis on the Northeast, Thakur said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to develop the region and increased attention since the NDA came to power provide a foundation for political gains in Meghalaya.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/06/13/bjp-doors-open-for-state-tmc-union-mos/
Category: MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2026-06-13 03:01:00
