SHILLONG, April 9: The National People’s Party has decided to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission against disturbances created by alleged Voice of the People Party members at the former’s public meetings.
“We want to draw the attention of the EC because such disturbances at our public meetings, especially in the evenings, may lead to unwarranted incidents,” NPP state president and Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong said on Tuesday.
He said the poll panel would be sounded to step in and ensure an incident-free campaign and a free and fair election in Meghalaya.
He said Lok Sabha elections have usually been peaceful in the state. “I am seeing such things for the first time. The VPP members look so desperate that they want to disrupt our public meetings everywhere,” he added.
He recalled one such incident in Umsning which he had attended. Whenever a speaker or the NPP candidate arose to speak, a few people would chant ‘Ha u Prah’, he said.
Tynsong said these people ignored repeated requests from the Dorbar Shnong and the party members before the police stepped in. But things were back to square one moments later.
There were similar disturbances at Jaiaw, Mawlai, and Mairang, he said.
“We should not allow such things to happen not only to the NPP candidate but to the candidates of the other parties too. We have spoken to the returning officer for more stringent action,” he said.
The Director-General of Police and the superintendents of police have also been alerted, he added. “Nobody should disrespect any candidate during campaigning,” Tynsong said.
Echoing Tynsong, NPP spokesperson Himalaya M Shangpliang sought strict action against the VPP, asserting that disrupting the election campaign of other political parties is in violation of ECI guidelines on free and fair elections.
“The VPP leadership should take full responsibility if there is any law and order breakdown. These are the same people who preach about clean politics but their actions prove otherwise,” he said.
Shangpliang claimed that the VPP is getting frustrated over the poor response it is getting from the people and is resorting to violence, intimidation and disruption.
Shangpliang also seconded KHADC CEM Pyniaid Sing Syiem’s statement that the “VPP is trying to inject the West Bengal virus in the election in Meghalaya”.
“These incidents only prove that the VPP can no longer hide the fact that it is the B Team of the TMC,” the NPP spokesperson added.
