SHILLONG: The returning officer of Tura Parliamentary constituency has forwarded to the Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer the complaint of NPP East Garo Hills District president Marcuise N Marak against East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Vijay Kumar Mantri for his alleged role in aiding the ruling Congress in poll campaigning.
In its complaint letter, Marak had informed that the NPP had sought permission from Mantri to use the Rongrenggiri School playground and the rostrum on March 27 for its election rally which was at first denied but later granted on further verbal request on condition that the rally be held at the far northern corner of the playground and the rostrum constructed by the government was not used as the same would cause disturbance to the school.
But when the meeting was about to begin on March 27 the party received a hand written memo dated 27.3.14 from the Deputy Commissioner granting permission to use either the rostrum of the school or the permanent rostrum. He alleged that the reason for the sudden change of action by the Deputy Commissioner was that the Congress had also applied for using the playground and the rostrums on March 28, the permission for which was immediately granted.
“He issued the said letter in order to cover up the partiality shown to the INC in granting permission to use the main playground and the rostrums or the school,”
Taking cognizance of the complaint, the returning officer of Tura had sought a clarification from Mantri, on the issue. Sources said Mantri had given his clarification wherein he had stated that it was the mismanagement of Marcuise N Marak himself during the campaigning and he was trying to cover up himself by blaming DC.
Sources said Marak needed to substantiate his complaint.