Shillong, Feb 6: BJP candidate from North Shillong Mariahom Kharkrang on Monday filed his nomination and expressed confidence that North Shillong is already a BJP seat. The former IPS officer was accompanied by his wife, children and supporters.
“We are positive; North Shillong is a BJP seat no doubt about it. Last time we lost by almost 300 votes, this time we will be winning with an astounding majority,” Kharkrang told reporters.
Michael Kharsyntiew, who was denied party ticket, has decided to contest as Independent candidate.
When asked if the party is divided in the constituency, Kharkrang said that the BJP is never a divided house and that he does not see Kharsyntiew as a threat in the coming elections. “BJP votes are not divided. Whoever is a BJP worker remains a BJP worker,” he said.
He further maintained that the party ticket was allotted to him based on merit and said, “You will have to ask those people who were bought because I have not spent a single penny, I have got this ticket based on the survey reports and based on various factors that the party has put in and I have not spend a single penny for this ticket – I have got this ticket based on my merit.”
He also expressed confidence that people of the constituency will vote for the BJP.
“North Shillong is a constituency where I should say 100% people are literate, everything is available to them, they will look into the performance of the party in other states and they will definitely look into the capability of the candidate and based on this people will make a choice and I am very sure that majority of them will make a BJP their choice.”
He, however, refused to comment on the performance of the sitting legislator Adelbert Nongrum and said, “I don’t think it is proper for me to make comment – that I leave it to the electorate.”
On the allegation of his involvement in fake encounters while in service, Kharkrang said, “Anyone can make any allegations. The legal system is there in place, the court of law are there in place and whoever made this allegation I think I would say it is stooping so low.”
