Meghalaya BJP Leader Who Promised Cheaper Beef If Elected, Quits The Party Over Cattle Slaughter Ban

Just days after he promised to reduce the price of beef if BJP is elected to power in the Meghalaya assembly elections next year, Bernard Marak, a leader from Garo Hills has resigned from the party.

AFP/ Representational Image

The move comes after his proposal for a beef fest came under criticism from the BJP national leadership. Marak had said that he would conduct a beef festival to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three years in power.

“I have decided to quit the party because I am a Christian and Garo first. BJP is trying to impose their ideology on us. What’s wrong if we planned to celebrate the third anniversary in our own traditional way?”, Marak questioned.

BJP national spokesperson and Meghalaya in-charge Nalin Kohli had earlier hinted that Marak will be sacked for his comment.

Kohli also said that the cheap beef was Marak's personal comment.?

"It is not the BJP's agenda to run markets that sell beef. That is for the market to decide. What Bernard says is his personal view, not the party's view."

The new cattle sales rules which have been stayed by the Madras High Court has put the BJP in a fix in Meghalaya, where the majority population are Christians and beef if one of the most popular items.?

Many top BJP leaders in the state have said that they eat beef and it is a part of the local food habit.