Signatories of Karbi Peace Accord join BJP

Our Correspondent
Diphu, Oct. 9 (EMN): In a major political development, more than 1100 former leaders and cadres of the six disbanded armed organisations have formally joined the BJP party  at Diphu Club on Saturday.

Leaders, who joined the party on Saturday are former Chairman of KLNLF, P Dilli with former General Secretary, Thong Teron and former Publicity Secretary, Rijak Dera, former Chairman of PDCK, Songbijit Engti Kathar with former Vice Chairman, Kongkat Teron, former Chairman of UPLA, Wilesly Terang with former General Secretary Win Bey and former Vice Chairman of KPLT ceasefire, Longbi Timung among others.

Welcoming the former armed leaders and cadres to BJP, CEM Ronghang said, “It is a good decision. I on behalf of ‘Team Karbi Anglong’ extend my sincere congratulation and welcome you to BJP ”.

Clarifying the confusion created by certain organisations, the CEM said, ‘They are just creating confusion and misguiding people by saying that only STs can contest election to KAAC, which is not true. When the erstwhile United Mikir Hills District Council was constituted in 1951, there were representatives from non-ST communities. There is no mention in the Constitution for reservation of seats to particular tribes to KAAC’

Informing journalists, the former publicity secretary of the disbanded group KLNLF, Rijak Dera said, ‘We have accepted BJP seeing the ideals and principles of the party. We will be working to strengthen the party and follow party guidelines as directed by Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, state and district BJP President. Whatever the party tells us to do we will follow’.