SHILLONG: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Meghalaya has stated that it is prepared to contest the upcoming by-election and is looking forward to entering the electoral fray this time.
BJP Meghalaya spokesperson, Mariahom Kharkrang, while speaking to the media, said that the party was also ready to contest the 2024 election. However, due to instructions to support the candidate of its coalition partner in the government, the party did not get the opportunity to field its own candidate.
When asked further, Kharkrang stated that the state unit must abide by directives issued by the party’s central leadership in Delhi—whether to field a candidate or to extend support to another party’s nominee. He added that as of now, the party has capable candidates who are ready to contest the upcoming election.
The bye-election was necessitated following the sudden and tragic demise of sitting MP and VPP leader Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon, whose passing created a significant vacuum in Meghalaya’s political landscape.
Other major political parties in the state, including the National People’s Party (NPP), Congress, and Trinamool Congress (TMC), have not yet made any formal announcement regarding their candidates for the upcoming MP by-election.
The Voice of the People Party (VPP), however, is likely to field its spokesperson, Dr Batskhem Myrboh, after his name was recommended by the party’s State Election Committee to the State Executive Committee for final approval.
