By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 4: The BJP is focused on strengthening its organisation in the state before going to Lok Sabha elections.
BJP state in-charge Chuba Ao told reporters on Thursday that the party will go it alone in the polls and there will be no seat-sharing arrangement with any other party.
BJP leader and Cabinet Minister AL Hek had cited the late announcement of candidates as the main reason behind the party’s dismal performance in the two seats – Shillong and Tura – in the 2019 elections. But Ao said the late announcement was due to party’s weak organization.
“We took a lot of time to decide on the party candidates. But this time, we are focusing on strengthening the party organization before the elections,” Ao said.
He also said that the BJP is hoping to do well in both seats in the state while overall, it is targeting to win 400 seats.
He said the party in the state is trying to strengthen its base at the grassroots level which was lacking in the last election.
Ao said the BJP will go to people and inform them about the good work done by the NDA government at the Centre in the past nine and half years. He said party workers have been instructed to start working for the Lok Sabha polls.
Ao said there are many who have verbally expressed their keenness to contest the polls but this cannot be taken into account. He advised them to officially apply for party ticket.
Asked if BJP is looking to field Hek from the Shillong seat, Ao said the party has seen media reports about the minister expressing willingness to contest if there is a directive from the party.
“I am yet to interact with Hek personally to know his mind. But we will need to take all candidates into consideration and interact with all of them,” Ao said.
According to him, the discussion on the party candidates will first be held within the state leadership. He said the matter will be subsequently taken up by the central leadership.
“We will then decide and sit together in the presence of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to take a final decision,” he said.