BJP in talks with more Meghalaya MLAs

The BJP is still negotiating with four-to-five sitting Meghalaya legislators to contest the ensuing assembly elections on its party ticket, BJP leader Alexander Hek said on Monday.

"We are still in talks with four-to-five legislators who are part of the ruling and opposition. I would not like to spell out their names since we are in a negotiating stage," Hek said.

"We are hopeful that they would join the BJP and contest the assembly elections on BJP ticket."

Hek, a former Congress legislator, along with other three legislators -- Sanbor Shullai of the Nationalist Congress Party, besides two Independents legislators Justine Dkhar and Robinus Syngkon -- resigned as members of the assembly and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on January 4.

Voicing confidence that the Lotus would bloom in Meghalaya, Hek, who now heads the BJP's election campaign committee, said: "The next government to form in Meghalaya after the assembly elections will be led by the BJP.

"We are confident because our party 'karyakarta' (cadre) have been working on the ground."

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who launched his political rally last month in Meghalaya, will also address at least three elections rallies in different parts of the state.

"BJP president Amit Shah, BJP Chief Ministers from northeastern states, Union Ministers and a host of senior party leaders will also be campaigning in the state," Hek said.

The ninth Meghalaya Assembly, comprising 60 members, was constituted on March 1, 2013, and its term expires on March 6.

--IANS

rrk/him/dg