SHILLONG: BJP’s new entrant AL Hek has joined the league of leaders to defend the party’s secular image.
Speaking to media persons in the city on Friday, Hek said BJP is not anti-minority but its “ideology is only development”.
When asked about the recent incidents of communal attacks, Hek downplayed the incidents saying “isolated cases of racism takes place everywhere”.
“In Mylliem, somebody recently vandalised the Seng Khasi crematorium but it does not mean that Christians are against Seng Khasi. Some anti social elements are everywhere, including Satna where our priests were attacked, and these elements want to disrupt the peace and tranquility in many areas,” he said and added that a political party cannot be blamed for stray incidents.
) “All political parties be it Congress, UDP and even BJP at the end of the day are working for the people,” the former minister told reporters.
Responding to a query, Hek said “BJP’s prospects are bright” and the four MLAs who joined the party recently would retain their seats even as he pointed out that some leaders from other parties might join BJP.
“We are in talks with them and things will be clear by next week,” he added.
The BJP ticket aspirant also assured that the saffron party would be at the Centre for at least 10 years and “if we (people of Meghalaya) are with the Centre, the state will definitely benefit”.
On his chances of becoming BJP’s chief ministerial candidate, Hek said it was up to the party to decide but “if the party feels so, I will be ready to take the lead”.
