SHILLONG: The mud-slinging between J.A Lyngdoh and Tony Marbaniang, both vying for the BJP ticket from North Shillong got intense on Wednesday with the latter saying the former minister “is not fit to be a leader”.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Marbaniang said Lyngdoh must clarify to the public whatever he alleged against the former at a meeting on May 14.
On Monday, Marbaniang lodged an FIR against Lyngdoh for levelling extortion charges against him.
The veteran leader on Tuesday denied that he made such allegations.
“He (Lyngdoh) said whatever I told about him is false. But in the video (clipping), he said he had met me… It is no longer about election but it about my reputation,” Marbaniang said.
Further counteracting the statement made by Lyngdoh that he is the only person in the fray for the party ticket from North Shillong, Marbaniang said, “He said there was no other candidate. How can he say that he is the only candidate?”
Marbaniang said he had joined the saffron party on January 22.
When asked about the party, he said, “Let’s keep the party out of this. He (Lyngdoh) being the leader of the party accused me. It is between me and Lyngdoh.”
Marbaniang added that if he is not able to secure a BJP ticket, he will contest as an independent candidate.
He asserted that Lyngdoh’s statements were contradictory. “There is no link between what he said at the party office and at the community hall,” he added.
