Over 100 VPP leaders, supports join NPP at Nongjngi, WJ Hills
Shillong, July 20: Over hundred Voice of the People Party (VPP) workers have formally joined the National People’s Party (NPP) at Nongjngi in West Jaintia Hills on Saturday.
The significant boost to the ruling party came ahead of the Shillong Lok Sabha bye-election, in a JHADC constituency represented by a VPP MDC.
Welcoming the VPP workers’ decision to leave the “wrong path”, NPP national vice-president and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Saturday said it showed that people in the area were re-evaluating their political choices.
Taking a swipe at the VPP, Dhar said voters were now acknowledging their earlier support for the opposition party was misplaced.
“Some are saying that we made a mistake in the past few days, because we were carried away by their song and we went to support the Prah party. I understand — when elders and leaders take a stand, people follow,” he said.
“But I am happy that within one or two years, the people of Lumstong have realised that the path they took earlier — to support the VPP — was the wrong path,” Dhar added.
Meanwhile, Dhar urged the new NPP members to work together for bringing development in the area.
“Politics cannot satisfy everyone. But when we work together, we can achieve what the people want,” Dhar said while urging the new members to reach out to their families and neighbours.
“Tell your relatives, ‘we the people of Lumstong have changed our minds. Now it is your turn to come as well,'” he said.
With the Shillong parliamentary byelection approaching, Dhar laid out a clear target for the village, which has over 6,000 voters.
“Our aim for the upcoming MP election is that, no matter what, we should not get less than 4,000 votes. If I get 4,000 votes from this area, I will make a mark for Nongjngi village that everyone will remember,” he said.
The Deputy CM also noted that he has about 700 party workers in Nongjngi alone, and that he has been meeting residents personally, beyond party lines.
