Shillong, March 3: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday released its first list of 19 candidates for the April 10 Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections, naming party’s vice president and sitting MDC from Tura Bernard N Marak, Mark Pantora M Sangma from Siju and Akki A Sangma from Barengapara, among others.
State General Secretary Er Wankitbok Pohshna said the State Election Committee has approved the names.
The list also includes Wilnath T Sangma (Amongpara), Repsin M Sangma (Dengnakpara), Drojil D Sangma (Boldamgre), Salibirth M Sangma (Nogorpara), Bhupandra Hajong (Zikzak), Hiralal Koch (Betasing), Jeberth M Sangma (Rochonpara), Rikse K Marak (Balachanda), Clement Marak (Batabari), John Keats Sangma (Shyamnagar), Rahinath Barchung (Naguapara), Barning Marak (Rongrong), Sengpan K Marak (Bolsong), Bikash G Momin (Damas), Sengsrang R Marak (Kharkutta) and Charles T Sangma (Samandagre).
Party leaders mum on non-tribal curb
Meanwhile, BJP legislator AL Hek on Tuesday expressed confidence that his party will perform well in the upcoming elections to the GHADC.
“We are hopeful that we will be able to do well in the upcoming GHADC elections,” Hek told reporters.
“We are trying to get in all 29 seats but so far we got applications for 19 seats. This is the first list,” he added.
On calls to bar non‑tribals from contesting or voting, BJP chief spokesperson M Kharkrang said the party had not taken a position on the recent notification issued in this regard.
“You should ask this question to them because earlier they allowed it because of this notification… Right now from the party side, we have not decided as this notification has just come up. It is too early to comment on this.”
Hek added, “That is why that is under discussion. We will have a meeting and after the meeting we will decide.”
Asked about Assam polls, Hek said leaders had been tasked to campaign wherever Assam BJP wants them.
“That will depend on the leadership of the Assam BJP. Whichever constituency they engage us we are ready to go.”
He noted no notification had been issued as elections were not yet declared.
