Shillong, Sep 12: Former UDP strongman and ex-Nongthymmai MLA Dr Jemino Mawthoh formally joined the BJP here today, ending 15 months of political hibernation.
Mawthoh, who resigned from the UDP in May this year after serving as its vice-president and general secretary since 2016, was inducted at the BJP state office in Shillong along with his supporters.
The NEHU associate professor had lost the 2023 Assembly poll from Nongthymmai to TMC’s Charles Pyngrope by 1,199 votes. He had won the seat in 2013 and unsuccessfully contested the Shillong Lok Sabha seat in 2019.
Mawthoh said feelers from the BJP had been coming since 2020-21 but he did not want to rush.
“I was approached earlier as well, but a political decision should be very conscious,” he said.
Once the key strategist of the regional party, Mawthoh’s move is seen as significant amid buzz that 8-9 of the 12 UDP MLAs are in touch with the BJP ahead of the 2028 Assembly polls. The BJP currently has only 2 MLAs in the 60-member House.
Dismissing the Hindutva tag that has hindered BJP’s growth in Christian-majority Meghalaya, Mawthoh said proximity to New Delhi was needed to resolve the state’s issues and secure financial support.
“After studying the state of affairs, I feel this is the right party to be part of,” he added.
