SHILLONG, March 26: The Voice of the People Party, professing the Jaidbynriew (indigenous) brand of politics, will ensure that the interests of Meghalaya’s non-Khasis are protected while resisting the entry of “illegal immigrants” into the state.
The VPP’s candidate from the Shillong Lok Sabha seat, Ricky AJ Syngkon told reporters after filing his nomination on Monday that the party acknowledges the contributions of the non-Khasis to the development of the state and seeks the protection of their rights.
“Our party will ensure that their interests are protected. At the same time, we need to protect the state from illegal people who come in,” Syngkon said.
He denied abusing Hindi speakers and said the VPP does not subscribe to the politics of hatred. On the party’s agenda are the removal of poverty, ensuring justice, and protecting the rights of the people while adhering to the secularism and diversity India is known for.
On the NPP-BJP partnership, he said the people are beginning to see the true colours of the two parties.
Earlier, Syngkon filed his nomination in the presence of party legislators and supporters. Party president Ardent M. Basaiawmoit was conspicuous by his absence.
RDA rejects VPP call to opt out of polls
The Regional Democratic Alliance rejected the call of the VPP to opt out of the Lok Sabha election while predicting that the Basaiawmoit-led party would not go far.
RDA candidate and former HYC president, Robertjune Kharjahrin told reporters that the VPP is a new party with no grassroots workers and very few MLAs and MDCs, unlike the UDP.
“We have a much better chance than the VPP to win the Shillong seat,” Kharjahrin said, rejecting the appeal of the VPP to withdraw from the polls.
Kharjahrin said the issue of the inner-line permit, the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule, settling the Meghalaya-Assam border dispute, bringing development to the state, fighting for secularism, and respecting the religious sentiments of the people will be the party’s priorities.
“We will ensure that we stand for the indigenous faiths and will also try our best to ensure the minority status for the followers of indigenous faiths like Seng Khasi,” he said pledging his desire to strengthen democracy in the country.
He said the RDA will come out with its manifesto soon.
Syngkon pointed out that the UDP and HSPDP will garner the most votes, adding that he was not surprised by the BJP and NPP coming together as both supported the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019.
He did not give sitting Congress MP Vincent H. Pala much of a chance. “It is time to replace him,” he said.
