Political slugfest, violence precede polls

2018 Assembly Election

From Staff Correspondent

Shillong, Sept 19: With the countdown to the 2018 Assembly elections having begun, political mudslinging interspersed with sporadic incidences of pre-poll violence has started as well in Meghalaya.

Congress party ticket aspirant from Shillong West constituency Mohendro Rapsang has strongly refuted the allegations of hiring goons to attack United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator Paul Lyngdoh. The allegation was made by the UDP legislator on Monday after a petrol bomb attack at his residence which he openly attributed to his political opponent Mohendro Rapsang.

In a rebuff on Tuesday, Rapsang told newsmen that that the allegation made against him are baseless and unfortute because his desire to win the upcoming elections is by winning the hearts of the people and not through threat and intimidation. “The charge leveled against me of using paid goondas is absolutely baseless,” stated Rapsang, even as he added that he feels saddened by what has happened to the residence of the sitting MLA and his political opponent.

Further, Rapsang also lodged an FIR against miscreants who vandalised the CCTV camera of the Congress party office at Mawprem two days ago. He also attached a grab of the CCTV footages to the police to aid the latter in the investigation.

While they are banking on the police to unveil the incidents that clearly indicated a pre-poll rivalry, supporters of Rapsang alleged that similar incidents had been witnessed at the office and residence of Congress party workers in the area since November last year. Rapsang’s front man Rishan Nongseij said besides the vandalisation of the CCTV cameras, petrol bombs had also been hurled at the residence of party workers.

Refuting the allegations made by Lyngdoh his leader, Nongseij said, “The allegations made by him are not only childish, but seems to be a desperate political move to generate public sympathy due to the waning of his support base ahead of the 2018 elections.”

The Congress ticket aspirant from Shillong West also said that he and his supporters are consulting legal experts before taking any legal steps, especially to see if it is a case fit for defamation.

Meanwhile, with the situation likely to take a volatile turn in the constituency, police have stepped vigil in the area. Police sources said the patrolling at night will be intensified in Mawprem.