SHILLONG, Nov 22: BJP leader and former legislator of South Tura John Leslee K Sangma on Monday announced his decision to contest from South Tura in the upcoming 2023 Assembly elections.

“I made my decision to return to active politics after being requested very sincerely by my supporters and political parties and well-wishers and I finally joined the BJP on June 29,” John said in a statement.

He said on the request made by the people of South Tura, a meeting was called at his residence at PalmDale on November 20.

“…hundred flocked to show their support for my candidature and I assured my supporters that if I contest the election I will be contesting from South Tura only. The meeting was to clear the confusion that is going around and to prepare my supporters for the big fight that is around the corner,” John added.

He said certain vested interested people have been creating confusion among the people by spreading rumours that he will be contesting from North Tura but this is not true.

Stating that he has been getting tremendous positive response, the former MLA said, “I joined the BJP to fulfill the dream of delivering development to the people, to move positively towards generating employment opportunity to the youths and above all to protect the interest of the indigenous people and also to protect the interest of the local non tribals residing in the state.”

“I have always associated and worked with the people of South Tura and there are thousands of people who look up to me whenever they have problem and there are thousands of people who genuinely believe in me and I can never abandon them for personal interest or for the so called career in politics. What I have for the people of South Tura is in my heart, it is do or die for me only in South Tura,” he added.

John further said that he has nothing against the people of South Tura for replacing him in 2018.