By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, April 5: The State BJP has pinned its hopes on securing a green signal from its central leadership to contest the upcoming Shillong Parliamentary by-election independently, signalling a clear departure from its earlier stance of backing an MDA consensus candidate.

The bypoll has been necessitated following the demise of sitting MP Ricky A.J. Syngkon.
State BJP president Rikman G. Momin on Sunday said the party has already conveyed its intent to contest the election on its own and is now awaiting a final decision from the central leadership.
He indicated that six to seven aspirants have expressed interest in the party ticket, but the formal process will begin only after the Election Commission issues the notification. Applications will then be forwarded to the central leadership for final approval.
Making the party's position clear, Momin said the state unit is not inclined to support any MDA candidate this time and is keen to contest independently to maintain and strengthen its voter base. He added that discussions are ongoing, even as the central leadership remains engaged with elections in other states.
Party sources said BJP spokesperson Mariahom Kharkrang and former state president Ernest Mawrie are among the key contenders, along with several leaders from the Jaintia Hills.
On the deferred GHADC elections, Momin said preparatory groundwork is under way and the party will be ready whenever the elections are announced.