BJP fields former militant leader Bernard Marak against Meghalaya CM
Shillong (PTI): The BJP on Thursday announced Bernard N Marak, its state unit vice-president and a former militant leader, as its official candidate against Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in South Tura constituency.
The saffron party will contest all the 60 seats in the Meghalaya assembly and announced names of all its candidates on Thursday.
It had last month decided to break away from the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance led by Conrad Sangma and go it alone in the state election, a party spokesman said here.
Among those whose names featured in the list were BJP's two sitting MLAs Sanbor Shullai and A L Hek who will contest from South Shillong and Pynthorukhrah constituencies in the city, he said.
Sitting MLAs who quit other parties in the past few months and joined BJP were also accommodated in the list. Among them are H M Shangpliang, Ferlin Sangma, Benedict Marak and Samuel M Sangma who will contesting from Mawsynram, Selsella, Raksamgre and Baghmara constituencies respectively.
State BJP president Ernest Mawrie who unsuccessfully contested from Nongthymmai constituency in 2018 will contest from West Shillong constituency. M H Kharkrang, the party spokesperson, will contest from North Shillong constituency, according to the party.
The party also fielded seven women candidates, including former NPP MLA Ferlin Sangma, the spokesman said.
Marak had laid down arms in 2014 and disbanded the ANVC-B militant group. He had joined Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC), an armed militant group to carve out a separate state for Garo tribals.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
BJP worker earlier arrested for alleged comments against Congress MLA dies by suicide
Bengaluru: A BJP worker, who was earlier arrested on charges of making comments against Congress MLA A S Ponnanna, has allegedly died by suicide on Friday stating that he is unable to bear the humiliation, police said.
Vinay Somaiah, who is in his mid thirties and a native of Kodagu district, died by hanging at an office here, they said.
In the purported death note recovered by the police, he has stated that nearly two months ago, he was arrested by the Madikeri police on the complaint of a Congress worker Tennera Maina in connection with certain comments that were posted against Virajpet Congress MLA Ponnanna, who is Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's legal advisor, in a WhatsApp group. Vinay was said to be the admin of the WhatsApp group.
He was subsequently released on bail.
In the death note, the BJP worker alleged that the FIR filed against him was "politically motivated" and that he and his family had to face "humiliation" which upset him.
Seeking justice, he urged that action should be taken against those named in the death note.
Police said a postmortem is underway and investigation will follow.
BJP held a protest in Madikeri demanding justice for Somaiah.
Home Minister G Parameshwara speaking to reporters here said, police will examine and investigate the case.
"Concerned DCP will investigate and based on the investigation report action will be taken. Whatever may be the reason, if any such involvement of anyone as alleged is found, it will be examined. Facts will come out during the investigation, once FIR is registered investigation will follow. Based on the outcome, whoever it is, action will be taken," he said.
Speaking to reporters in Shikaripura state BJP President B Y Vijayendra urged the Home Minister to consider the Somaiah's suicide case seriously and verify about involvement of MLA or anyone else influential in the case, and take necessary action.
Demanding justice for Somaiah's death, he warned BJP will hold strong protests if the government fails to ensure a fair probe and doesn't take immediate strict action.
"Somaiah has died by suicide alleging harassment by MLA and Congress workers in the death note, it is unfortunate and painful. I don't know since the Congress government came to power there is a kind of continuous oppression on BJP workers in the state. Unnecessarily FIRs are being registered on the party workers and they are being harassed," Vijayendra alleged.
It is said that Somaiah died by suicide because of such pressure and harassment, and he is said to have mentioned about it in the death note, the BJP chief stated and added "I urge the Home Minister to consider this case on humanitarian grounds instead of like a case linked to BJP worker. This is an example of how citizens and BJP workers are suffering under this Congress administration."
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
