SHILLONG, SEPT 17: UDP legislator from Mawphlang Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah on Thursday asserted that his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is driven by the need for development in his constituency, and declared that he is ready to face electoral defeat if it ensures the community’s survival.
Addressing a meeting of his supporters, Kurbah said their presence itself was a clear endorsement of his move.
“The purpose of holding the meeting today is to inform my supporters that their presence itself speaks volumes. There is no need to ask them anymore. They have shown their willingness and happiness,” he said.
Kurbah said that if the BJP fulfils the assurances discussed, he has no hesitation in joining hands with the party.
“The pressure on me to join the BJP is for the development of the constituency because development work here is still very less. Since 2023 I have been waiting for development to reach the constituency but now more than three years have passed and I see no hope,” he said.
On allegations that the BJP is anti-Christian, Kurbah dismissed the claims as an attempt to mislead the public.
“All this is misleading the public. In Mawphlang constituency there are many different religions, there are Seng Khasi, different Christian denominations. I have never heard that a Seng Khasi follower does not allow Christians to go to church, or Christians look down upon the Khasi religion,” he said.
He argued that being inside the party would give him a stronger voice to protect the community’s interests.
“There is no hesitation in joining the BJP, it will not affect religion. Our presence inside the BJP will allow us to speak. If the BJP tries to do anything against Christians, if we are inside, we have the power to speak against those who try to do wrong. If we are outside, we can only carry flags, do hartals, do dharnas,” Kurbah stated.
Reiterating his stand, the MLA said, “We stand up for the community, it does not matter if we lose the election but the community will survive, it will always remember what we have done. We will continue to try to do as the BJP has promised. The people will judge in 2028. It does not matter if I lose in the 2028 election, the community will survive, that is why I stand firm to join the BJP.”
