Shillong, Feb 1: As the filing of the nomination of the candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections has kickstarted, a ‘confused’ Meghalaya BJP is yet to decide its official candidate from 17-North Shillong Constituency.
Two aspirants- Michael Kharsyntiew, a primary member of the party, and retired senior police officer Mariahom Kharkrang, a new face to the party, are engaged in a contest to bag the party ticket, leaving the people of North Shillong puzzled as both the aspirants are claiming to be the official candidate of the BJP.
However, BJP state president Ernest Mawrie has stated that the list has been sent to Delhi and they are awaiting the approval from the party high command. He also informed that the party has sent all the names including constituencies where there are many ticket aspirants. Mawrie also informed that the BJP will contest in all the 60 Assembly constituencies.
Mawrie informed that the Central Parliamentary Committee (CPC) met on January 31 to take a final call on the party candidates for upcoming Assembly polls for the three North Eastern states – Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland.
However, four days ago, the high command of the BJP released the official candidates list for Tripura, where the election poll is scheduled to be held on February 16.
One day after the official announcement, Tripura BJP saw a massive exodus after leaders failed to get the party ticket. This internal feud among the BJP workers and supporters brewed in assembly constituencies like Chandipur in Unakoti district where BJP projected its general secretary Tinku Roy, in Bagbasa and Kadamtala-Kurti of North district, in Bishalgarh, Jubarajnagar and in Kamalasagar assembly constituencies. Since the full list of candidates was announced, over a thousand party workers have revolted against the BJP leadership for their alleged failure in selecting suitable candidates.
In Meghalaya, State president Ernest Mawrie informed that he has been going to Delhi to request the central leadership to release the names of the party candidates in the State at the earliest. He also claimed that there is not going to be any problem even if the party announces the official candidates list at the last minute as the party has prepared the groundwork a long time back.
But, the people of the State are perplexed as there are two or more candidates claiming to be the official candidate of the party in the same constituency.
Mentionably, in November 2022, more than 370 leaders and supporters of the BJP joined the NPP party, which now poses a major strength for the NPP for the upcoming Assembly Elections 2023. The leaders which include the President of the BJP North Shillong, Alwyn Lyngdoh were welcomed by NPP candidate of the North Shillong Ransom Sutnga, NPP President of Shillong City Lamphang Kharmujai and other party officials at Dorbar Hall, Lawmali.
