UDP harks back to Ardent wanting dissolution of district councils

SHILLONG, March 27: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Wednesday reminded the VPP that its chief Ardent Basaiawmoit wanted the dissolution of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the state.
Speaking at a rally at Markasa to seek support for the RDA’s consensus candidate for the Shillong seat Robertjune Kharjahrin, UDP’s Mawthadraishan MDC Jambor War said the VPP chief in September 2015 had moved a private member resolution in the Assembly to seek the extension of Article 371 of the Constitution in the state.
War recalled Basaiawmoit had argued that when Article 371 is extended to the state, the state government will be bound to ensure that the rights of the indigenous people are protected through legislation.
“I have documents and proof to show that the VPP chief wanted the dissolution of the ADCs,” he said.
War said there are always forces which do not want the unity of the regional parties.
He said when various regional parties had come together to form the UDP in 1997, a new political entity, called People’s Democratic Movement, emerged in 1998.
“Now, we see the emergence of the VPP when the regional parties have united under the RDA,” War said.
According to him, the VPP chief, who was the then president of HSPDP, and former UDP president Dr. Donkupar Roy were the architects of the RDA.
Taking a dig at Basaiawmoit, War said the VPP chief is known to change his party after every five years.
He said Basaiawmoit had first won the Assembly elections in 2008 on UDP’s ticket and the 2013 polls as a candidate of HSPDP.
War said Basaiawmoit left the HSPDP after losing the 2018 elections and campaigned for the Congress in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
“Just before the 2023 polls, he formed the VPP. I am sure he is going to stick with VPP,” the UDP MDC said.