BJP ex-leader to contest Meghalaya polls from two seats

Tura (Meghalaya), Jan 28 : Former BJP leader Bernard Marak, who quit the saffron party over the beef ban, on Sunday said he would contest the February 27 Meghalaya Assembly elections from two constituencies -- North Tura and South Tura.

His announcement came a day after the ruling Congress cleared Chief Minister Mukul Sangma's name from two constituencies -- Ampati and Songsak.

"I will be contesting from North Tura and South Tura as electorate in both have requested me to do so," Marak told IANS.

Marak once led the faction of A'chik National Volunteers' Council, a disbanded rebel Garo group. 

On June 1, 2017, Marak resigned from the BJP after senior party members opposed his plans to organise a beef party to celebrate three years of the Narendra Modi government at the centre.

He alleged that the BJP leaders were not respecting the traditions and culture of the indigenous people.