Key BJP leader in EGH resigns over ticket denial

TURA: One of the BJP stalwarts who helped the party grow in the Congress bastion of Williamnagar in East Garo Hills has tendered his resignation in protest against the party’s decision to nominate a former civil service officer to contest the upcoming polls.

District lawyer Jan N Arengh, who was one of the aspirants for party ticket, stepped down on Saturday after the BJP announced the candidature of retired MCS officer Santosh R Marak.

“I don’t understand why my candidature was rejected. The party had said preference would be given to the candidate who is connected with the grassroots level. I toured every village under my constituency mobilising supporters and had helped enroll over 8,000 new BJP members, but still I was overlooked in the selection. This is because unlike my opponent I do not have any lobby,” a dejected Arengh told The Shillong Times.

Denial of ticket to Arengh has led to a rebellion within the ranks of the party in Williamnagar constituency with as many as 200 members stepping down to show solidarity with their leader.

Some of the key party functionaries who have marched off with Arengh included the BJP’s district vice president Bijon R Marak, district mahila president Lotika D Marak, mahila mandal president Drollin G Momin, mandal secretary Himat K Marak and several dozen booth committee and primary members of the party.

“I will contest the elections from Williamnagar as an Independent candidate,” said Arengh.

Interestingly, both Marak and Arengh had unsuccessfully contested previous assembly elections from different constituencies. While Santosh Marak secured the fourth position in the 2013 state elections from Williamnagar constituency in which Congress’s Deborah Marak emerged victorious, Arengh was defeated in Barengapara (Dalu) constituency of West Garo Hills in the 2003 elections in which Samuel Sangma was the victor.