From Our Correspondent
BAGHMARA, Feb 25: Supporters of GHADC CEM Albinush R Marak have expressed disdain over the denial of an NPP party ticket to the leader for the upcoming GHADC polls. Through a press communiqué, Marak’s supporters have sought an explanation from the party regarding the grounds for the ticket denial.
Challenging the decision, workers loyal to the leader have decided to resign en masse from the party and support Marak, who will now contest as an independent candidate. “The denial is unjust and disgraceful for an MDC who has shed his sweat, time and loyalty for the party since his youth. We demand a public explanation from the working president of the NPP Marcuise Marak and want to ask him as to decided to deny his ticket and on what transparent criteria? Was there any real ground survey done or was this decision dictated by a small closed group that treats the NPP party like their personal property in South Garo Hills,” the supporters asked.
They added that Marak stood firmly with the vision of (L) PA Sangma, from the days of the Nationalist Congress Party, through the transition into the All India Trinamool Congress, and finally during the formation and expansion of the NPP.
“He did not abandon the movement when it was weak. He strengthened it when it needed warriors. Today, that loyalty has been repaid with humiliation. Denying him a ticket is not merely sidelining one individual but an insult to the people of SGH, an insult to his family and clan and an insult to every booth-level worker who built the party brick by brick,” they added.
The press communiqué followed a meeting held on Wednesday at the Nongalbibra residence of the current CEM, who represents Siju in the GHAC. The decision, they said, was unanimous.
“If the party refuses to respect its own grassroots foundation, we refuse to bow our heads. We strongly believe this denial is the result of calculated political manipulation by two or three individuals who believe they control the fate of the party in SGH. The people are not blind. They know the internal games. They know how tickets are decided. They know who must be pleased to survive within the system,” the release added.
The supporters further warned against those who felt that the SGH district was their private estate, stating that if loyalty, hard work and grassroots strength are ignored in favour of favouritism and backdoor politics, the people themselves will rise. “We have therefore resolved to resign from the National People’s Party and extend our full, unwavering support to Albinush as an Independent candidate. This is no longer just about a party ticket. It’s about dignity, respect and the voice of the people being silenced by a few power brokers. We are united, will not surrender and are ready to fight,” they asserted.
