By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 24: The State BJP has affirmed that it is not lagging in preparations for the upcoming KHADC and JHADC elections, with plans to field 10 to 15 candidates.
“We are not running late. Other parties have also not announced their candidates yet. Moreover, I am not sure if the government has issued a formal notification regarding the election dates,” said BJP chief spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang.
Discussing the selection of candidates, he stated, “The party president has invited applications from aspiring candidates, and the last date for submission has been set for December 30. The applications must be submitted to the respective district presidents, after which they will be forwarded to the State election committee for final decision-making.”
He added, “While I won’t claim that we will contest all 29 seats, we are definitely aiming for around 10 seats, give or take a few.”
Kharkrang also highlighted the positive response the party has been receiving at the grassroots level, emphasising that the selection of candidates will be strategic.
Addressing the BJP’s approach to the MDC polls, he remarked, “In my personal opinion, we should participate in all elections.” He explained, “That’s how ground-level workers remain engaged. If we suddenly decide not to contest, where will these workers go? They would be left directionless. So, we must contest all elections.”
The State BJP has historically been selective in its election participation. For instance, during the last Lok Sabha elections, the party chose to support its alliance partner, the NPP, instead of fielding its own candidate.
