The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has named its first 17 candidates for the elections to the Khasi and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Councils (KHADC and JHADC), which are scheduled for exactly one month from today.
Fourteen of the candidates are for the KHADC and three for the JHADC.
Meghalaya has stubbornly resisted the BJP’s charms, with only two of 60 MLAs hailing from the saffron party. The BJP went as far as to sit out the race for the two parliamentary seats in Meghalaya last year, instead choosing to support its ally the National People’s Party. It then ran in the Gambegre by-election but performed poorly.
Addressing reporters today, Wankitbok Pohshna, the BJP’s state general secretary said that the second list of candidates will be announced soon.
He said that there are potential seats that they are working on, with a few from Ri-Bhoi, East Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills and also Shillong city.
“This is the first time the party is going all out to contest the maximum seats in the district councils. I’m sure our participation will help the party to contribute to strengthening the foundation of the district councils. We’re looking forward to people choosing our candidates,” he said.
When asked about the misuse of funds by the party candidates who are seldom seen in the field, Pohshna said, “I cannot comment on what has gone wrong in the previous elections but, yes, we will ensure that the candidates which we have announced will go to the field and carry forward the party’s message.”
The BJP will come out with its manifesto in the next few days and this will focus on strengthening the district councils.
The party’s KHADC candidates in the first list are Himanta Timung (Jirang), Manin Raja (Nongpoh), Hopingstone Marsharing (Mawhati), Brightstarfield Khongwir (Umsning), Councellor Mukhim (Mawkynrew), Elvisstar Kharbudon (Langkyrdem Laitkroh), Ebren Khongthah (Nongshken), Fairlock D Ryngksai (Nongthymmai), Kynsaibor Lyngdoh (Malki Laitumkhrah), Daniella Nonglait (Mawlai), Lewis Janong Sooting (Langrin), Dimandar Lyngdoh (Nongstoin), Dominic Wahlang (Rambrai Jyrngam) and Roland Mawsor (Mawshynrut).
The three JHADC candidates are Heimonmitre Phawa (Jowai South), Manbha Lyngdoh (Muthlong Sohkympor) and Shanbor Rymbai (Musniang Rangad).
