SHILLONG, Sept 3: Former IPS officer Mariahom Kharkrang on Saturday joined the BJP. At the same time, he also announced his intention to contest from the North Shillong constituency in the upcoming 2023 assembly elections in the state.

Kharkrang was welcomed by the BJP national general secretary (organization), BL Santosh, Union Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal, cabinet minister, Sanbor Shullai, former minister, AL Hek, state president, Ernest Mawrie, and others.

“I choose BJP for development as I want my state to be developed,” the former IPS officer told reporters.

He added, “I am an aspiring candidate but (ticket) that will depend on the BJP leadership whether they will consider me fit or not.”

Kharkrang had taken voluntary retirement (VRS) on September 1.

When asked, he said, “I am not talking about my constituency but people have seen throughout the years how we have worked, so that itself indicates and will help people understand what they will expect from me.”

“That is why I am saying when we are talking about security, like I had performed as SP of Shillong, the same thing will apply from the political point of view,” he assured.