Shillong, Nov 18: Three sitting legislators wil join the BJP in New Delhi in December.
The BJP state president, Ernest Mawrie told reporters on Friday that three sitting MLAs will be joining the party in New Delhi in the first week of December but he did not disclose their names.
Sources said that NPP MLAs from Phulbari and Selsella, SG Esmatur Mominin and Ferlin CA Sangma respectively are likely to join the BJP.
AITC MLA from Mawsynram HM Shangpliang is also set to join the BJP.
Another NPP MLA from Raksamgre Benedic Marak has opted for AITC instead of BJP.
When asked Mawrie said,“Yes, some of them are from NPP and some from TMC and some from other parties but it is too early to disclose how many are from NPP but they are from various parties and they are going to join us very soon.”
The BJP state president informed that the party is also in touch with another two sitting legislators. “They are also keen to join the party because of the good work of the BJP government in the country. Especially in the North East, you have seen the progress of development has taken place in Assam, Manipur and other NE states. So it is their wish and they have already informed us that because of the good work of the government under the leadership of the PM, they want to join us,” he said.
Winnability a factor for giving tickets
Mawrie said the party will issue tickets to only winning candidates.
Mawrie said as directed by the central leadership, the party will be contesting from all the 60 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.
He said that the formation of mandal committees in 55 constituencies has been completed and the remaining five are in the process of being completed.
According to Mawrie, there are constituencies where the party is having multiple aspiring candidates.
“But I am very confident the party will issue the ticket to the winning candidates. In line with the survey report, the central parliamentary committee will sit and decide the ticket”, he added.
He said there are two survey reports. “Now the second survey report is on the way. After collecting all this information, the winning candidates will be allotted with the tickets” he said.
Mawrie clarified that there is no confusion as far as North Shillong constituency is concerned and said both M Kharkrang who is former IPS officer and party spokesperson – and Michael Kharsyntiew are ticket aspirants.
“We cannot declare anybody as an official candidate as they are aspirant candidates for the ticket. Even as the state president, I am the aspirant candidate from West Shillong,” he said.
BJP hopes to win North Shillong
Mawrie also expressed confidence to win the North Shillong seat.
Inaugurating the office of the party’s North Shillong mandal at Jail Road, Mawrie said in the last 2018 elections, the party missed the bus by only a margin of few votes.
“This time we will make sure that we win this seat in the coming election,” he said.
