Central leaders haven’t deserted Bernard: Mawrie

SHILLONG, Aug 13: BJP state president Ernest Mawrie on Saturday said the party’s central leadership is extending its support to arrested leader Bernard Marak and has not deserted him.
Mawrie told reporters the party’s state unit has already sent its internal inquiry report to the central leaders. He said the report was prepared based on the statements given by people from Tura, not party workers.
The BJP state chief, who visited New Delhi recently, said the central leaders were seemingly satisfied with the report.
“Our stand remains that both the DC and the SP (of West Garo Hills) should be removed for a free and fair investigation,” he said, adding that the party’s state unit has been in touch with the central leaders on the matter.
Mawrie said the state unit will hold a series of meetings within a week where the matter will be discussed.
He denied that the party’s central leaders are not keen on following it up.
Asked if the BJP is looking for a new candidate from South Tura, Mawrie said the party has not yet discussed the issue.
The BJP central leadership has not uttered a single word on Marak’s case. He was arrested by the police for allegedly running a brothel from his farmhouse on the outskirts of Tura.
Only the BJP’s Meghalaya in-charge M Chuba Ao had alleged Marak was framed. He had also questioned the timing of the police action.