FIR against former minister

SHILLONG, MAY 15: An aspiring candidate for the upcoming 2018 election, Tony Marbaniang today filed an FIR against former minister and leader of the state BJP John Anthony Lyngdoh for allegedly defaming him of “indirect extortion”.

Marbaniang (25), who have also enrolled as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), submitted his complaint along with the so-called “video evidence” before the Officer-in-Charge of the Sadar Police Station here on Monday.

“He (JA Lyngdoh) has accused me of indirect extortion in a meeting held at Oakland community hall, Bivar Road on Sunday, May 14,” alleged Marbaniang while speaking to reporters outside the police station.

Lyngdoh, who resigned as a senior leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) earlier last year, is presently holding a top post as the vice president of the BJP Meghalaya State Unit.

Claiming that a video recording of Lyngdoh’s speech is his strong evidence, he said, “The leader had alleged that if I get money from him, I will no longer contest the election. Such statement is designed to defame my reputation as a youth.”

Interestingly in what can be seen as a tussle within the saffron party, Lyngdoh and Marbaniang are both eyeing for the BJP ticket from North Shillong for contesting against Congress sitting legislator Roshan Wajri, who is also the health minister.

Refuting the allegation that he is not a member of the BJP, Marbaniang, who displayed a membership form before newsmen, said, “I have evidence that I am a member of the BJP. I had joined the party along with many supporters.”

Asked, he said that he has no clue as to what made a senior leader like Lyngdoh to make such false accusations against him even as he admitted that the latter is playing dirty politics to gain score ahead of the elections.