SHILLONG — Churches to be locked. Beef to disappear from the market. Election season has brought out both claims again, but Cabinet Minister and South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai says the BJP’s opponents are selling fear rather than facts.
Shullai rejected allegations that a BJP government would lock churches or impose a ban on beef, calling the claims election-time propaganda intended to turn voters against the party. He was speaking at Mawlai Umthlong during a BJP Mawlai Mandal programme organised to support four Meghalaya arm-wrestlers selected for the World Armwrestling Championship in Delhi.
“The allegations that churches will be locked and beef will be banned are only propaganda during elections to frighten people against the BJP,” Shullai said.
Instead of arguing over what he termed as election rumours, Shullai pointed to the BJP government’s welfare record and said voters should look at what has actually reached ordinary households. He referred to electricity and water supply, free rice, LPG assistance, COVID-19 vaccination and schemes for farmers while defending the Narendra Modi government’s 10-year record.
Shullai claimed Christians account for 80 per cent of the office-bearers in his South Shillong Mandal and said around 90 per cent of Christians in Laban vote for the BJP. He also pointed to development works in Laban, claiming that 24-hour water supply and road connectivity had been provided across different localities.
The minister further highlighted recent BJP membership drives in Mawlai, saying more than 200 people joined the party around three months ago under Synshar Maiong, while another 200 people from Jaintia Hills had joined recently.
“People are wise now and they will not accept lies against the BJP,” Shullai said, urging citizens to support the party along with its welfare programmes.
The political pitch came alongside an announcement of ₹1 lakh in assistance for four Meghalaya arm-wrestlers from Shullai’s MLA grant. Alex Shonroy Mylliem Umlong, Nerisa Kharphuri, Borsis Nongbri and Bandarika Kharkongor will each receive ₹25,000 after October 5 as they prepare for the World Armwrestling Championship in Delhi.
