Amid the buzz around the Women’s Reservation Bill and the push for greater participation of women in electoral politics, the Bharatiya Janata Party in Meghalaya has remained non-committal on whether it will field a woman candidate in the upcoming by-election to the Shillong Parliamentary constituency. The stance gains prominence as the party has not fielded a woman candidate in the State for over 26 years, with the last instance dating back to 1998 when Dr. Elizabeth Laitflang was nominated by the party as it’s candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat.
Addressing media persons on Monday, BJP Meghalaya Prabhari Anil Anthony said, “That is not something which is in anybody’s hand. It is based on lot of processes. Who will be candidate in any election is not something based on one factor, there are many factors. Many candidates will be applying and finally state and central leadership will take the appropriate decision, there is central election committee of the party. We will ensure that best possible candidate if we are contesting the election to contest.” On being asked about the possibility of an aspiring woman candidate, he said, “that is not something I am aware of.” Emphasising the party’s broader position on women’s representation, he added, “Many women have contested last Assembly elections, and I am very sure that we will see more MLAs of BJP in Meghalaya as well as many women MLAs in Meghalaya also. I can confidently assured you that BJP is the only party in India which ensures there is equitable women representation among our office bearers also. Our elected representatives are in the hands of the people, but we are working to ensure that every time we have multiple women representation also in the house. As per as our office bearers are concerned at the National level, state level, booth level and district level we always ensure there is a minimum women representation of a good number which is substantially higher than any other national party across. We are the party with most number of women MPs, most number of Women MLAs across India.” The by-election has been necessitated following the demise of sitting Member of Parliament Ricky A. J. Syngkon on February 19, 2026, less than two years after his decisive victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
