SHILLONG: BJP candidate from Pynthorumkhrah AL Hek said on Tuesday the saffron party would form the government in Meghalaya after March 3 and that he would accept the chief minister’s post if the high command offered.
Speaking to media persons after exercising his franchise, Hek predicted a fractured mandate resulting in the coalition of like-minded parties. He said BJP would definitely win three seats in Jaintia Hills and Shillong and between4-6 in Garo Hills.
On becoming the chief minister, the leader told reporters, “Once the BJP at the Centre had chosen me as the leader of the BJP Election Committee, which indicates it is leader only. It depends on the high command but if they give me I will not say no (to the chief minister’s post). I will lead the BJP in Meghalaya.”
The former minister asserted that if elected to power, BJP would focus on tourism, road connectivity and healthcare facilities.
On the communal party tag on BJP, Hek said such allegations were “mere propaganda of the opposition parties since they have no issue to highlight”.
“Why focus on BJP? are they contesting from BJP or which party? They should have issues of their own political parties,” he said while criticising the rivals for calling BJP communal.
Downplaying anti-incumbency, Hek said the margin would not be less as “it is not the first time that I am contesting the election from BJP”.
“I had won three consecutive terms from BJP,” he added. Asked about the “wagging tail” comment of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor recently, Hek said, “Some people talk nonsense. Why should I follow their nonsense talks?”
Medals for leaders
Five early voters in every polling station received medals from the Election Commission on Tuesday.
Among the candidates, Hek and Independent candidate from Baghmara Samuel Sangma received the early bird awards. Hek told reporters that he cast his vote at 7am at Gandhi Buniyadi Secondary School, Pynthorumkhrah. “In the morning, I saw large numbers of people coming to vote but now it is going slow. It is going to cross 70-80 per cent,” he said.
Ampareen Lyngdoh, who interacted with reporters after voting, said when asked whether she received the medal, “No, I wanted some of the residents to enjoy the feelings because in anyways I could see the VVPAT.”
