SHILLONG, MAY 15: Sticking to past practice, the BJP will declare its candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election only after the Election Commission of India notifies the poll schedule, party chief spokesperson M Kharkrang said on Friday.

“The BJP will announce the name of the candidate after election dates are declared by the Election Commission of India,” Kharkrang said.

Defending the party’s approach, he added, “That is how the party functions. You have seen in the last elections also we had waited till the elections are declared. So that is how the party functions so be patience, wait.”

Other parties have already moved ahead with their picks. The ruling NPP has named KAS president Dr. DRL Nonglait as its candidate. The opposition VPP will field Prof Batskhem Myrboh, and the Congress is set to put up three-time former MP and MPCC chief Vincent H. Pala. The UDP has not yet announced its decision.