With political parties beginning to declare their candidates for next year’s Lok Sabha election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is still far from decided on the subject.
Today, BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang said it would be good for the party if six-time MLA for Pynthorumkhrah, Alexander Laloo Hek, becomes the BJP’s candidate.
“If we can have AL Hek, who is a six-time MLA, as a candidate, that will be wonderful,” Kharkrang told reporters.
However, the BJP’s central command has not sought candidate recommendations as yet, so no names have been sent by the Meghalaya unit for consideration.
For the state elections this year, the BJP was practically the last party to finalise its candidates.
Hek had recently stated that “it is for the central leadership of the party to make a decision (on whether I should contest or not).” The cabinet minister had also revealed that there are three candidates vying for the ticket for the Shillong seat.
Asked about this, Kharkrang said that there is no “euphoria” about putting up candidates. “Basically, we have to see whether we have any who are eligible,” he added. “Everything is open and we would love to if we have a good woman candidate. We are not closing our doors, we open them to all.”
One thing that is fairly sure is that the BJP will not form a pre-poll alliance for the Shillong seat, Kharkrang stated.
