SHILLONG, JAN 27: BJP state president Ernest Mawrie on Monday informed that the list of its candidates for the upcoming assembly elections will be announced within February 2.
He informed that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills region after February 10.
Addressing media persons after the state election committee meeting, Mawrie said, “We have prepared the list today and we are going to send it to Delhi immediately and we are going to declare the names of candidates within February 2.â€
He informed that the party has decided to field candidates from all the 60 constituencies out of which 10 will be women candidates.
“There are constituencies which are having more than two ticket aspirants. We will send all the names to Delhi. The final names will be decided by the Central Parliamentary Committee (CPC), which will be meeting on January 31,†he said.
Mawrie said the BJP is a national party and has its own style of functioning and that if they declare ticket tomorrow or after three days, it will make no difference because they have already worked on the ground long time back.
He also informed that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be touring the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills after February 10.
“The date has not been fixed but just after February 10 or maybe February 11-12, he (PM) will be visiting the three regions of the state,†he said.
He also informed that the union ministers like Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani, Nitin Gadkari will be among the 20 star campaigners for the party. He said chief ministers of other states will also campaign in the state for the upcoming elections.
Mawrie said that the party is confident to win more seats in the coming elections.
“Last time we have projected the potential seats upto 25 but this time we have projected 35 seats and we are expected to win more seats so that we can lead the government. We are not planning to have a coalition with anybody. Let us wait after the results, to find out likeminded parties who are willing to follow our agenda of free corruption government,†he said.
On the manifesto of the party, the state president said that the party is focusing on development.
“We don’t have good infrastructure in terms of roads, we don’t have medical colleges, engineering colleges and people now they always discussed about traffic congestion – so all these issues will be solved if we have a double engine government – a government here in Meghalaya and a government in Delhi. Looking at neighbouring state, development has taken place in a faster pace in terms of roads, colleges and medical colleges – I think the people in Meghalaya they have the same aspirations that they want development and we have so many issues which will take up when we get a chance to form the government.â€
Mawrie said that the state government had already passed an official resolution on ILP issue in the Assembly on the matter. “All the MLAs have supported the issue and the matter has gone to the central government. Therefore, the central government will take its own course and decide. Let us wait for the Centre’s decision,†he said.
Meanwhile, the state president said that the party is yet to receive information on candidates with criminal background.
“Till today we don’t have any information like any candidates involving in criminal activities. May be some candidates have some cases but it has not come to our notice. When we receive information we will follow as per guidelines of the Election Commission of India,†he said.