PM Narendra Modi to kick start BJP’s poll campaign in Meghalaya on December 16

GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the BJP’s campaign for the assembly polls in Meghalaya on December 16. The state is likely to go to polls early next year.

The Prime Minister's one-day programme in Meghalaya will include inauguration of the new party office and he will also address a public rally, BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh told ET.

“With the Prime Minister’s rally, we will start our election campaign in the state. Given the mood of the people, we are confident that the BJP will do very well in the elections,” Lyngdoh said.


On a couple of occasion in the past, BJP national president Amit Shah had postponed his visit to Meghalaya.

In Christian-dominated Meghalaya, the Congress is rattled by the exodus of senior leaders including Rowell Lyngdoh, Prestone Tynsong, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Ngaitlang Dhar and PN Syiem. Party state chief and former chief minister DD Lapang has decided not to contest the polls.

With the Congress also battling anti-incumbency, the BJP is confident of a strong showing in the assembly election.

“We are likely to go to polls alone and contest all the 60 seats,” said a senior BJP leader, who did not want to be named. “We will finalise the list of candidates by end of this month.”

Meghalaya-based United Democratic Party and National People's Party are part of a BJP-floated platform of non-Congress parties, Northeast Democratic Alliance. However, these parties have refrained from forming any alliance with the BJP for the assembly polls.

The UDP and the Hill State People's Democratic Party have stitched a pre-poll alliance between them. The NPP is a partner in the BJP-led government in Manipur.
The Congress, meanwhile, has started the process to select candidates.