Jowai, July 22: The National People’s Party (NPP) has vehemently cricitised the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) for allegedly disapproving development works by the NPP-led government.
Responding to VPP allegations regarding his Jowai constituency, Cabinet Minister Wailadmiki Shylla urged the voters not to believe in any criticism by VPP which “lacked unity” within the party.
Shylla, during his address at an election campaign for NPP Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Dr DRL Nonglait at Ummulong in West Jaintia Hills, said VPP had undermined traditional institutions by scrapping provisions that required headmen to certify land in villages.
“Isn’t this taking away the power of our headmen?” he asked.
Targeting the VPP’s four MLAs, Shylla said the party had failed to present a united front even in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
“They are in power in the KHADC for just over a year. The CEM resigned, the EMs also resigned. Is that a house that lives in peace and unity?” he said.
He cited the recent protest flag raised by Hima Sohra and alleged that young people who had hoped for jobs were “thrown out” after the VPP came to power in the council.
“You have only just started governing in the KHADC and there is already so much chaos. Imagine what would happen if one day you were given the chance to run the entire state of Meghalaya,” he added.
In contrast, Shylla said the NPP has 32 MLAs in the current Assembly, but the party speaks with one voice.
“You will never hear Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar speaking differently from Prestone Tynsong, or Sir Conrad speaking differently. Even till today we are a house that lives in peace and unity,” he stated.
Shylla also responded to remarks by the VPP president on legislators’ vehicles.
He said he travels in a government Fortuner with an ML01 registration, while the VPP president, despite not being in government, uses a private Fortuner.
“Since for me, it is a government Fortuner, we have to ask where he got that Fortuner from,” he said.
Highlighting the state government’s work in education, the minister said the government is providing Rs 2 crore annually to East Jaintia College to help with salaries and ensure quality education.
He said parents earlier hesitated to dream big for their children due to the absence of professional institutions such as engineering and medical college or a state university.
“But now, under the leadership of this government, all of this has been made possible,” Shylla said.
