TURA/ SHILLONG, Nov 17: BJP state vice president and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak, who was released from custody on Wednesday, sounded confident that his “illegal arrest” would have a huge impact in the Assembly elections next year and that people will vote for change to topple the ruling NPP-led MDA Government.
Terming his arrest as illegal and concocted by the NPP, the BJP leader said the incident would prove to be an advantage for him in the elections as the people have realized what the ruling dispensation is capable of doing.
“It is going to be very interesting because earlier people voted for leaders with high expectation of bringing change to the society. This time, it is going to be very different because of one thing in particular. My illegal arrest will have an impact in the upcoming election and give me the advantage because people have realized that things can go down to that level politically,” Bernard told reporters.
Reminding that he had already won the GHADC elections, the Tura MDC exuded confidence that despite Chief Minister Conrad Sangma contesting from South Tura and sitting MLA Thomas A Sangma from North Tura, the people would vote for change and choose the BJP.
Bernard also informed that the party’s main focus for the upcoming election would be towards ending corruption and uplift of the general masses.
“We want to bring change and end corruption. BJP has always been against corruption and our campaign will be based on that only because we have been victimised and our people have been victimised on account of corruption. Our main focus will be to end corruption and uplift the people,” he said.
To a question on who was responsible for his illegal arrest, Bernard said, “I do not need to name anyone but those from the government who feel threatened that they will be ousted in the election, are the ones behind it.”
Meanwhile, the State BJP is ecstatic with the release of their senior leader (Bernard Marak) and exuded confidence that the boost ahead of the election would swing the votes in the party’s favour.
The party had rallied behind Bernard after his arrest and had termed it politically motivated.
The party had accused the government of arresting Bernard over fear that he would pose a tough challenge to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in South Tura constituency in the upcoming polls.
Bernard’s release, albeit on bail, seems to have rejuvenated the hopes of the saffron party which is gearing up for a tough duel between the NPP and the BJP.
There is speculation that the CM may either contest the election from two seats or shift to some “safe” constituency but neither Conrad nor the NPP have revealed their cards yet.
