Former West Shillong MLA Mohendro Rapsang on Tuesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with a large number of his supporters at the BJP state office marking another significant political shift ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
Rapsang was formally inducted into the BJP by Meghalaya BJP president Rikman G. Momin in the presence of Cabinet Minister and BJP MLA Sanbor Shullai and other party leaders.
Talking to mediapersons, the Meghalaya BJP president expressed confidence about strengthening its position in West Shillong and indicated that more political leaders could join the BJP in the coming days as the party continues its expansion efforts across the state.
Momin however clarified that Rapsang’s entry into the party does not come with any assurance of a ticket, maintaining that the party follows its own process in selecting candidates for elections.
Following his induction, Rapsang said he had joined the BJP to strengthen the organisation and expressed confidence in the party’s growing popularity among both tribal and non-tribal voters.
He also said he would contest the 2028 Assembly elections only if the party gives him the opportunity.
The former MLA also maintained that he would remain committed to the BJP and would abide by whatever decision the party takes regarding candidature for the 2028 Assembly elections.
Rapsang represented West Shillong from 2018 to 2023 after defeating UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh in the 2018 Assembly elections.
After parting ways with the Congress, Rapsang joined the NPP ahead of the 2023 polls but was defeated by Lyngdoh. He resigned from the NPP in February this year before making his latest political move to the BJP.