SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is likely to face a former bureaucrat in his constituency, Ampati, in the 2018 Assembly elections.
B. Ch. Hajong, the officer-on-special duty, Sericulture and Weaving, opted for voluntary retirement last month and joined the BJP and indications are that he may take on Sangma in South West Garo Hills.
State BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh on Monday confirmed Hajong joining BJP and added that a reception will be given to the new entrant and his family for joining the party.
To a question on whether Hajong will be fielded in Ampati, the State BJP leader said it is too early to speculate on whether Hajong will contest the 2018 polls or work for the party in whatever capacity he is entrusted with.
“Now, we are not discussing the matters related to allotment of ticket as he has just joined the party,” Lyngdoh said.
However, sources said BJP may field Hajong against the chief minister in Ampati and the ground work in this regard has already begun.
Lyngdoh has also criticised Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma for his statement that BJP will use money power in the next Assembly polls.
“It is a false propaganda by the Congress party, which is in power to divert the attention of the people from the real issues concerning the State,” Lyngdoh said.
According to Lyngdoh, what matters for BJP is development and for this, it is seeking people’s support and not money power.
