LS polls: BJP for reality check before fielding candidates

SHILLONG: The state BJP will do its assessment to infer whether it would be feasible for the party to field candidates in Shillong and Tura Lok Sabha seats, besides Selsella by-poll candidate.
Senior BJP leader and Cabinet Minister AL Hek said on Wednesday the party’s central leadership, after a “preliminary discussion”, had directed the state unit to run a ground reality check.
Hek reiterated that BJP should field its candidates in both the seats.
To a query, the health minister said, “My assessment is that in Shillong city, we have a very good chance if we have a good candidate and in Tura we will have to make more efforts.”
However, he added, “If we have a common candidate, we will have no choice and we will appeal to the public to vote for the common candidate.”
Hek maintained that people usually vote for a national party in the Lok Sabha election.
When asked about the UDP hinting at rift in the alliance in absence of a consensus on common candidate, Hek said the party has the right to express its point and there will be no issues or differences.
He also said UDP did not give threats in the recently held MDA meeting.
When asked if the BJP has zeroed in on any candidate for the Lok Sabha polls, Hek said the party is in discussions with some prominent local leaders.