Shillong: The BJP in Meghalaya is finding it tough to get fresh faces as it prepares to take on the ruling Congress in the elections to the 10th Meghalaya Assembly.
The BJP, which is targeting to get 40 out of 60 seats under its "mission-40" and form a government on its own next year, is trying to poach some sitting MLAs from other parties, besides Independents, to contest on BJP ticket.
When reporters questioned why the BJP was targeting the same people, including MLAs from other parties, instead of fresh faces, BJP's election-in-charge of Meghalaya, Alphons Joseph Kannanthanam, said: "In politics, you cannot really get completely new faces. We need people with experience. We will run a government which is part of the Prime Minister's dream to run a government that is honest and not corrupt."
Alphons, the Union minister of state and BJP's newly elected Rajaya Sabha MP from Rajasthan, arrived here on Friday and held discussions with Church leaders.
He tried to build bridges for his party through them to erase the perception that the BJP is opposed to minorities.
This is the second time Alphons has met Church leaders here.
"I met them (Church leaders) the last time I was here. We become friends and it is good meeting again. The whole idea is to renew the friendship. I did not talk politics at all, but spoke about social issues. As election in-charge, I came to see the party's preparations and how we will proceed."
Asked why the BJP wants to embrace MLAs who have been part of the "corrupt practices" despite focussing on a corruption-free government, Alphons said: "We need people from all segments of society. We need people who are experienced, but corruption is something on which we do not compromise. Many (MLAs) are joining us, but these are things we do not put in public domain. You will get to know soon."