BJP RELEASES FIRST LIST OF CANDIDATES IN MEGHALAYA

The BJP today announced its first list of 45 candidates for the Meghalaya Assembly polls and voiced the confidence to oust the ruling Congress that has been in power for the last one decade. Election to the 60-member assembly is scheduled to be held on February 27. However, the party denied a ticket to state unit chief Shibun Lyngdoh's sister Violet Lyngdoh in favour of former Parliamentary Secretary Justine Dkhar, who quit the assembly and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Violet Lyngdoh, who is a sitting member of Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, is set to join the NDA-affiliate National People's Party and fight the election against Dkhar from Khliehriat constituency. Though, Violet was denied a ticket, the BJP has allotted tickets to two of her women colleagues in the party, Pelcy Snaitang and Marian Maring from Ranikor and Nongpoh assembly constituency, respectively. The list includes former Congress Minister Alexander Hek, former Deputy Speaker Sanbor of the Nationalist Congress Party and former Parliamentary Secretary Robinus Syngkon, who had joined the BJP and will be contesting from Pynthorumkhrah, South Shillong and Mokakiaw assembly seats, respectively.