SHILLONG:

BJP national executive member AL Hek on August 26 exuded confidence that the party will lead the new government in 2023.

“If we get 15 seats, we are sure to lead the government in 2023. Moreover, the BJP is ruling at the Centre,” Hek told reporters.

He informed that the party is gearing up its preparation for the upcoming assembly elections.

“We are planning to field candidates from 40 of the 60 Assembly seats in the state,” Hek said while asserting “Of these, we have 15 potential seats. We will work harder to ensure we win 10 seats, if not 15.”

On Thursday, his nephew, Rocky Hek was also declared as the official candidate of the National People’s Party (NPP) from Pynthorumkhrah constituency.

When asked, AL Hek said he cannot comment on his nephew’s decision to contest against him in the upcoming polls. “They are grownups now and I leave it to their own understanding as to what they want to do with their lives,” he said.

On allegations that Rocky’s decision to join the NPP was with the blessing of AL Hek to ensure Congress leader PN Syiem does not win the 2023 polls from the constituency, the five-time legislator said there is nothing like that.

“We cannot stoop to that level,” he maintained. According to him, preparation for the elections is going full swing in his constituency.