SHILLONG, Feb 12: The race for chief minister’s chair has already begun with a fortnight to go for the elections in Meghalaya.
Several political parties are in a publicity war to outdo each other in projecting their choice for the chief minister’s chair.
After the UDP made its preference known on the chief minister’s post, the BJP declared its ambition to go all-out for the hot seat.
“BJP for the first time is contesting in all 60 seats. This time the BJP-led government will come and there will be a BJP chief minister this time,” senior BJP leader, AL Hek said on Sunday.
Asked if he is also in the race, he deviated from his previous stand of projecting himself as the BJP’s chief ministerial face, and said it does not matter who takes the crown but it has to be from the BJP and it will be a reality.
Informing that his party is determined to win as many seats as possible, he said the BJP will spring a surprise with more number of seats this time.
Reminding the various schemes and initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that the PM always thinks about the poor and is continuously making efforts to improve their condition.
He also informed that BJP national general secretary, Tarun Chugh and a few other senior leaders met Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh.
He said the meeting was to convey to the Archbishop the assurance of PM Modi that his only agenda is to live and let live without any discrimination on religious, communal or ethnic lines.
According to Hek, the Archbishop also appreciated the development ensured by the BJP government in the Centre.
Countering allegations of BJP’s alleged anti-minority policies, Hek reasoned that there are fanatics in any organisation, community, religion or group because of whom the respective group is blamed.
To substantiate his view, Hek cited how in the FKJGP rally few fanatics created a ruckus while the entire group was blamed and had to face backlash.
He added that BJP’s agenda is development without any discrimination.
