Shillong, Aug 30: NPP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar has made it clear that the association between NPP and BJP, both part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), is only for “development” and that the two parties have different ideologies.
“BJP has got its own ideology, NPP has got its own ideology. They are totally different,” Dhar said while campaigning for Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Dr DRL Nonglait at Lawbyrtun in Mawthadraishan.
“When we work together with BJP, it is for development, not anything else. There has to be trust in the central government to bring development,” Dhar said.
Admitting that opponents were exploiting people’s weakness to mislead them, he said, “Our people are often misled on this. They confuse you. They look at your weakness.”
He said supporting or working with another party does not mean shifting allegiance.
“If Dr Nonglait is a Presbyterian and Catholics vote for him, does it mean you convert? It means you are just casting a vote. Similarly, if we work together with BJP it does not mean we will become BJP,” he said.
He added that while voters’ duty is to elect leaders, it is the elected representatives’ duty to ensure livelihood and development.
