In a bid to corner arch rival BJP, the Congress on February 17 hit out at the saffron party for providing party ticket to Meghalaya state party vice president and POCSO (Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences) accused, Bernard Marak for the upcoming assembly polls to be held on February 27.
“We would like to ask Amit Shah the question which he has constantly been avoiding. The women and children of Meghalaya want to know while you claim to protect women and talk about ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padao’ you have given a ticket to a man accused under POSCO,” Congress spokesperson, Alka Lamba told reporters in Shillong on February 17.
“A man who has been known to run a brothel in Meghalaya and had run away to UP where he was caught and jailed. Instead of removing him from the party you have rewarded him with a ticket to contest from the BJP,” she said, without naming Bernard Marak.
“Prime minister has to answer this how can you claim to protect women when you bring such men who exploit women to represent the people of Meghalaya,” Lamba demanded.
मेघालय में नाबालिग बच्चियों का बलात्कारी, बेटियों को वेश्यावृत्ति में धकेलने वाला – जेल से बेल पर बाहर – BJP नेता, चुनावी मैदान में उतारा गया है – वो भी BJP का मुख्यमंत्री का चेहरा बना कर – भाजपाई नेताओं से बेटियाँ बचाओ.#Meghalya @INCMeghalaya @INCIndia @priyankagandhi pic.twitter.com/ImmHvrc4Q2
— Alka Lamba (@LambaAlka) February 17, 2023
“Modi, Shah, Irani are answerable to the people of Meghalaya, women of Meghalaya, to the girls of Meghalaya,” she asserted.
Marak, a former militant leader-turned member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, a constitutional body in Meghalaya, is contesting against chief minister and National People’s Party (NPP) candidate, Conrad Sangma in South Tura assembly constituency.
Marak was last year arrested and charged with immoral trafficking and running a brothel in his farmhouse at Tura and subsequently released.
