Meghalaya elections: BJP’s first list includes former Congress minister, ex-NCP state chief

The list of 45 candidates also includes the names of those who had joined the BJP on January 2.

The BJP has released its first list of 45 candidates for the February 27 elections to the 60-member Meghalaya assembly.

BJP president Amit Shah during an election rally in West Garo Hills. The BJP is confident of winning the Meghalaya elections after eight MLAs, including five from the ruling Congress, joined the National People’s Party, an ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. (PTI File Photo)

The list includes the names of former Congress minister AL Hek, former NCP state president Sanbor Shullai and eight other former MLAs.

“The central election committee (of the BJP) has released the first list of candidates for the February 27 election,” said BJP’s state unit chief Shibun Lyngdoh.

Two women feature in the list — BJP state mahila morcha president Pelcy Snaitang (from the Ranikor constituency) and Marian Maring (from the Nongpoh constituency in Ri-Bhoi district).

The other former legislators, who had contested and lost in 2013 but feature in this list, include RL Tariang, JA Lyngdoh, Phlour Khongjee, John Manner Marak, KC Boro and Billykid Sangma.

The second list of candidates for the remaining 15 constituencies is likely to be out very soon, Lyngdoh said.