Shillong, July 24: Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) chief, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, on Tuesday said that the party is making inroads into the Garo Hills region. He, however, said that the party is not in a ‘haste’ to contest the upcoming Gambegre by-election.
Speaking to reporters, Basaiawmoit said, “We have started (making inroads) in Garo Hills.”
“There are people, who have expressed interest to contest on a VPP ticket for the Gambegre bye election but as a party we have decided not to take any hasty decision on the matter if we want to get the full support of the people of Garo Hills region,” he said.
Stating that the party will soon hold consultation in Garo Hills, the VPP president said, “Actually, I was planning to visit Garo Hills within this month but due to some urgent works that I need to get done here (cannot go to Garo Hills).”
Asked, he said, “In regards to the GHADC elections, we cannot say right now as it will depend on the time we have. If we get enough time, we can go to Garo Hills.”
“However as of now, we have decided to concentrate and focus more on the 2028 Assembly elections but we don’t know how things will unfold in the coming days,” he added.
Further, the VPP chief claimed that many political leaders from across the North East region have expressed interest to join the party. “There are many leaders from the different NE states (that) have expressed their keen interest to join the VPP because of its ideologies and principles as a political party,” he said.
“Leaders from Tripura, ZPM, Mizoram have already met us. Our general secretary has also met leaders from Assam, who are indigenous people as there is a concern and the need to stand united as one who have strong principle and determination to protect indigenous people of the NE region,” he said.
Asked, the VPP president said, “We have expressed when I went to attend the oath taking ceremony of our MP, to other leaders of the different states that we have to have an understanding as leaders from the region especially when our interest clashes with the central government laws.”
“Therefore, the VPP will try to reach out to political leaders of different states in the NE,” he added.
