BJP first to contact Mawthoh since he left UDP in May 2025
Shillong, Sept 13: Amid talks about UDP MLAs defecting en masse to BJP, former party leader Jemino Mawthoh’s formally joined the saffron party on Saturday.
Mawthoh, who left the United Democratic Party (UDP) over a year ago, did not join any political party in this period.
On Saturday, he revealed that BJP was the first to reach out when he quit UDP in May last year.
His joining the party was witnessed by BJP state president Rikman G Momin and senior legislator AL Hek.
“Why not BJP?” he counter questioned when asked about why did he choose BJP, and not any other party.
“The moment my resignation was flagged in the media, Kharkrang was the first to respond. He said I am an asset, but let me tell you, Kharkrang is an asset to the party,” he said.
“He doesn’t beat around the bush. The way he defends the party, we are all impressed.”
The former Nongthymmai MLA, who served as UDP working president for two years and general secretary for nine years, said he tried to forge a single strong regional party but failed.
“I tried talking to regional parties. We could not materialise it. After losing in 2023, I felt it was enough,” Mawthoh said.
On his long wait, he said: “Silence is also good. It is time for introspection.”
He said though he had decided to quit in 2023 after losing the Assembly election, he withdrew his resignation on the request of UDP leaders.
“It was only in April-May 2025, after the MP and MDC elections, that I thought it was time to quit. I felt disgruntled looking at the state of affairs and political climate in Meghalaya. We have so many faces with calibre, capacity and intelligence to take the state forward, but we were never able to bring them together,” he said.
On why he chose BJP despite his regional background, Mawthoh said, “My reply is why not BJP. It is the largest political party in the world with 140 million members and 20 million active members. It has been at the helm since 2014 and is ruling 22-23 states along with its allies.”
“I see a lot of transformation since 2014 — in policies, programmes, infrastructure, reforms, digital transactions, expressways, roadways and welfare activities reaching the last man. During COVID, I was apprehensive with a population of 140 crore, now 170 crore surpassing China, but we managed,” he said.
He said the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 attracted him.
“BJP has a vision to make India a developed nation in 2047. With the largest youth population, we can achieve that goal,” he said.
Mawthoh also cited national security and infiltration concerns.
Mawthoh had earlier contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election and secured around 2.67 lakh votes.
