SHILLONG: The Meghalaya unit of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which is an ally of the BJP at the Centre, said the party will contest the upcoming 2018 elections.
Addressing the media on Friday, state LJP president Jamil Ahmed said the party has not decided how many seats it will contest.
“It is too early to decide now. We will probably discuss (about it) with the national party 3-4 months before the election,” he added.
The party has fielded 18 candidates in 2008 and four in 2013 elections. “The votes received in these two elections were satisfactory though none of the candidates could make it to the Assembly,” said Ahmed.
When asked whether the State LJP will ally with the state BJP before the 2018 polls, Ahmed said, “It is not necessary to ally with BJP but the decision is up to the high command.”
The number of primary members of the Dalit-based LJP is above 1 lakh and the party has received good response, the state LJP head informed.
On the ban on cow slaughter, Ahmed blamed the “sister parties of BJP” like Bajrang Dal for the trouble and said it was not part of the NDA agenda.
“The state LJP has petitioned to the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to roll back the ban imposed on sale of cattle for slaughter as the ban directly affects people of the North East,” he added.
Ahmed also targeted the State Government by saying its failure could be visible in villages where there is no development and demanded that it takes immediate remedial measures.
Ahmed said the party supports the Village Administration Bill and wants the Centre and the State to protect and preserve the indigenous customs, culture and tradition.
Commenting on the contentious issue of railway projects, he said, “Railway projects are good for development but before giving the green signal, the Government should take into consideration the influx issue.”
