Shillong, Apr 17: The days of Voice of the People Party (VPP), which has made significant breakthrough in electoral politics in the state, are numbered in Jaintia Hills, according to NPP general secretary deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Dhar said the people of Jaintia Hills had already shown ‘yellow card’ to VPP and that the ‘red card’ (for VPP) is on the cards.
“Do you know why they (VPP) frequently go to Jaintia Hills? It is because they are scared of the Jaintias because we have given them a ‘yellow card’ in the last MDC elections and we will also give them a ‘red card’ in 2028,” Dhar told reporters.
Referring to the “decline” in VPP votes in the last district council polls compared to Lok Sabha elections, he said, “They almost got a yellow card in Khasi Hills too. They won from all 29 seats in the MP elections, but only 17 seats (in KHADC polls). So, it is like getting a yellow card. Due to this, they are having sleepless nights and are busy in aimless talk.”
Dhar was responding to VPP president Ardent M Basaiawmoit’s statement in a public meeting at Jowai threatening to move the Election Commission of India (ECI) to keep a close watch on Jaintia Hills ahead of 2028 assembly polls.
In a recent letter the chief secretary, the VPP had demanded for an independent inquiry into government’s alleged failure to conduct free and fair elections to Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).
The VPP stormed to power in KHADC by winning 17 of 29 seats while it could manage only eight seats in JHADC during autonomous district council elections held in February this year.
Urging VPP to respect the mandate given by the people of Jaintia Hills and not try to “school” the ECI, Dhar said, “To say we will approach the ECI, I feel you (VPP) doesn’t need to educate the ECI on what it should do and what it should not do… Our people know their rights while voting and our officers too are well versed with the rules on how to conduct the elections.”
Further, the NPP leader termed the action of the VPP as a desperate move out of fear and insecurities. “When people are too afraid, they are desperate and start talking aimlessly…,” he said.
On Basaiawmoit’s allegation that the ruling party has illegally influenced the traditional dorbars in Jaintia Hills, Dhar said, “For any party, who is in power, there is a procedure to rule the government. You cannot do whatever you want as there is a law that guides you on how to run the government.”
