Expelled BJP rebel lashes out at veterans

SHILLONG: Tony Marbaniang, the young rebel who was engaged in mudslinging with veteran BJP leader JA Lyngdoh over poll ticket from North Shillong, has dared the BJP state leadership to produce evidence of his anti-party activities.
The 24-year-old leader was expelled from the primary membership of BJP for six years.
The spat between Marbaniang and Lyngdoh began after the latter allegedly spoke against the former as per a video clip. “I went to meet Shibun Lyngdoh (BJP state president) who asked me to meet Bashai Khongwir (party’s state vice-president) and he in turn asked me to meet Lyngdoh,” Marbaniang told media persons on Monday. Marbaniang asked the state BJP leaders to substantiate their claims of his anti-party activities. “Do they have proof? It is the leaders who are being anti-party as they have expelled me without any show-cause notice, which is in contrary to the BJP party constitution.”
The rebel leader asserted that none in the State BJP leadership is “fit to be leaders” as they do not know the party’s constitution.
“I challenge Shibun Lyngdoh. Please don’t dare challenge me. I challenge Bashai Khongwir and even the leaders of the disciplinary committee to show me the proof,” he added.
The tug-of-war between Marbaniang and JA Lyngdoh, both of whom are eyeing ticket from North shilling, started two months ago after the former alleged that the latter defamed him during a party meeting at Oakland.
Referring to the incident, Marbaniang said on Monday, “Shibun told me that JA Lyngdoh does not want to talk about it. Lyngdoh is avoiding me. He is scared of me.” After his expulsion from the BJP, Marbaniang is weighing his options whether to contest in the 2018 polls as an independent or join another party. However, he said on Monday that he would ensure JA Lyngdoh does not win the 2018 Assembly elections.