EXCLUSIVE
BJP National Executive Committee member and senior Meghalaya BJP Legislator Alexander Laloo Hek has categorically asserted that BJP should contest a sharply trimmed list of 15–20 seats, or at most 30 seats, in the coming Assembly elections 2028, calling it the most strategic and result-oriented roadmap for Meghalaya.
Positioning selective contestation as the party’s principal electoral doctrine, Hek emphasised that Meghalaya’s political calculus is rooted in candidate charisma and constituency credibility, making a focused, precision-driven strategy essential for maximising BJP’s electoral impact.
Reiterating the formula he believes will deliver maximum gains, Hek stressed on Meghalaya’s unique political environment, as he told Meghalaya News 24, “Meghalaya is not completely based on party politics but it is based on individual charisma, based on the candidate,” and underscored that the party should adopt the Bihar model, prioritising “identifying strong candidates.”
Reflecting on the Bihar experience, he added, “We also did not expect we will win Bihar elections with a thumping majority, we thought we would form the government no doubt but getting the thumping majority is amazing. The BJP karyakartas worked very hard to ensure the win, so we also have to follow the same model for Meghalaya state.”
Further , he also stressed proactive groundwork, saying, “So we should also start identifying strong candidates from different constituencies but this time we should request BJP state unit and the National BJP, they should not contest in all the 60 seats. We have to be very very selective. Few seats—maximum 15–20 or upto 30—we can go to contest elections.”
Underscoring the importance of concentrated effort, he explained, “If we go fielding candidates in all the constituencies then it will be very very difficult for BJP Meghalaya to concentrate strongly on individual constituencies.” Calling for uncompromising candidate scrutiny, he added, “We have to identify good candidates and also very strong candidates who will contest from which constituency, that is also very important—equally we just cannot send any candidate, it has to be a local particularly candidate from that area only, or the candidate should have a base in the particular constituency then only we can think about selection of tickets for the BJP candidate.”
Highlighting grassroots organisational strengthening, Hek said, “We have been strengthening the party organisation, all the mandals are constituted at the same time we started identifying strong candidates. We cannot just depend on sitting MLAs or former MLAs, we have to see their position that they are holding in public.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party currently holds two seats in the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and is a partner in the NPP-led MDA-II government.
