The BJP central leadership has asked former State BJP president Ernest Mawrie and cabinet minister Alexander L. Hek to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Shillong parliamentary seat.
Speaking to Highland Post here today, Mawrie claimed that it was the central leadership of his party that directed him to apply for the party ticket for the Lok Sabha polls from Shillong seat.
“After I relinquished the post of president of the State BJP I have thought of taking a break from contesting elections since I have also contested the last Assembly election. But this time as well, direction has come from our party central leadership that I should also apply for the party ticket and prepare for the Shillong parliamentary election,” Mawrie said.
Mawrie also said that Hek got the same direction from the central leadership that he should also apply for the party ticket before a final decision is made to whom the ticket will be given.
Informing that he joined the BJP during the leadership of late Thrang Hok Rangad in 1999, Mawrie said that allotment of party ticket will solely depend on the central leadership even as he maintained that BJP is a national party with discipline and all party members abide by the decision of the party.
Stating that he left the candidature issue to the wisdom of his party leadership, Mawrie however said that he has nothing to comment on the statement of South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai expressing support to the candidature of Fenella Lyngdoh Nonglait.
“At the end of the day, the issue of who should get the ticket lies with the party’s central parliamentary board,” he said.
Mawrie also informed that since Meghalaya is classed under the Category-3 State, the list for BJP Lok Sabha candidates from the State will also be declared in the third list to be released by the party.
He further urged the people of Meghalaya to vote for the BJP since other parties will sit in the opposition and have no voice or ability to do much at the Centre.
“The people of our State should use their wisdom and give chance to a party that will reign in Delhi so that the MP representing the State brings countless developments including medical and engineering colleges, better roads, water supply besides various schemes that are crucial for the development of our State,” Mawrie added.
When asked about apprehensions among tribals of Meghalaya about the BJP, Mawrie said that some people are trying to mislead the masses about the party “when in fact tribal rights are more protected and empowered under the BJP”.
