Four MLAs have joined the BJP ahead of next year’s assembly elections in Meghalaya.

Two of the four legislators belong to the ruling National People’s Party, a sign that all is not well among the National Democratic alliance (NDA) partner.

The joining of NPP MLAs Benedik Marak and Ferlin Sangma into the NPP is indicative of the BJP’s attempt to corner the NPP and emerge as a strong force in the Northeast region.

The party has chosen Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as its point person for the region. On the induction of the new MLAs, Sarma said the induction of four “experienced and respected” political personalities would mark a “new beginning” for the BJP in the state.

In the 2018 elections, the BJP won 2 out of 60 seats in the assembly and is looking to do better in the elections to be held in February 2023.

One of the other MLAs, Samuel M Sangma, is an Independent while Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang is from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party.

“With the North-East being completely mainstreamed and three BJP state governments (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur) being re-elected to power, the party’s strength in the region is increasing,” Sarma was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The address of has become permanent.” ,

He also expressed confidence that apart from Meghalaya, the BJP would win a “resounding victory” in the upcoming elections in the north-eastern states of Tripura and Nagaland.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, who handles the party’s organization affairs in the region, said the northeast would become a new engine for the country’s development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang affirmed that the state needed a change and the BJP would bring it about. “It is a great party which has impressed all of us as people are impressed by its development work,” he said.

With inputs from PTI