Youth against Warjri

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, APR 24: Tony Marbaniang, a resident of Shillong Police Reserve today announced his decision to contest in the upcoming 2018 state elections against cabinet minister and sitting MLA Roshan Warjri from 17-North Shillong.

Addressing newsmen here on Monday, Marbaniang said that he has decided to contest the election after people from the different parts of the constituency wanted him to be their candidate.

The twenty five-year-old man, who was a former leader of an NGO – Hynniewtrep National People’s Movement (HNPM), had recently enrolled himself as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Asked, he however said that though his supporters wanted him to fight the election on a BJP ticket but that will wholly depend on the party.

It may be mentioned here that the newly elected BJP state vice president JA Lyngdoh is also gearing up to contest the MLA election from North Shillong Constituency.

Apart from him, there are also around 9-10 aspiring candidates from different political parties including the United Democratic Party (UDP) and KHNAM who would be contesting against the sitting legislator.

Marbaniang (25), who on had first casted his vote in the last 2013 elections, said that he had voted for NOTA as in his perspective the present legislators lacks future planning.

He said that the ever growing problem of unemployment faced by the youths in the state will be one among the main agendas he would be focusing for the upcoming elections.

“Had the MLAs performances are up to the mark I don’t think that there will be a rise in many social organizations in the state,” he said.

On the other hand, one of his strong supporters, which are mostly from police reserve, Jail road, Punjabi lane and others, said that they wanted Marbaniang as a leader because he had the potentiality to bring change in the constituency.

“We expect a lot from him especially he is young and full of enthusiasm,” J Shadap, a lady from police reserve told reporters.

Another supporter S Chetri said that they would urge the BJP to consider giving the party ticket to Marbaniang. “However, if not BJP, it would be okay if he stands as an independent candidate as we would still extend our full support to him,” he added.