SHILLONG:
The BJP is not interested in the idea of common candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
“Where do we have a common candidate? Last time, BJP had fielded its own candidate, as well as the UDP and others (despite being in the MDA government). I have not seen a common candidate (being arrived at),” Cabinet minister and BJP leader A L Hek told reporters here, on September 26.
“We will take a call on that (on a common candidate) if a request comes. But if you ask me I say that BJP is a national party and it should go its own way in contesting elections,” he said.
Hek also said the state BJP was yet to take a call on the selection of candidates for the two parliamentary seats – Shillong and Tura – for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
He said that the party was gearing up its preparation for the elections.
“However, the party is yet to decide on the candidates for Shillong and Tura parliamentary seats,” he said. According to him, many have approached the party for tickets from the two constituencies.
He said mandals in every constituency are on the job to prepare for the upcoming LS polls.
In 2019, Hek turned down the request for contesting as party candidate from Shillong seat.
“I was asked to contest but since my mother was not in good health, I did not agree. Similarly in 2014, due to many reasons I was not willing to contest,” he added.
