By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 28: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Friday said its Shillong MP Ricky AJ Syngkon abstained from voting in the Lok Sabha Speaker’s election as the Congress had failed to chart a proper stand and strategy to reach a consensus on the candidates.
“The VPP fully comprehends the significance and responsibilities associated with the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker. We do not require a lecture from Ronnie V Lyngdoh on this matter. The insinuation that we lack understanding is both unfounded and patronising,” said VPP media cell member AW Rani.
He termed the recent remarks of the leader of Opposition, Lyngdoh, regarding the VPP’s decision to abstain from voting in the Speaker’s election as “malicious and misleading”.
“Ricky AJ Syngkon abstained from participating in the Speaker’s election because the Congress could not chart a proper stand and strategy in view of its negotiation with the NDA to reach a consensus on candidates,” Rani said.
Pointing out that the Congress was ready to accept the candidature of Om Birla provided the Deputy Speaker is selected from the Opposition, he said the Congress and the INDIA bloc were disorganised and they lacked a strategy.
“The Congress, in view of the failure of the negotiation, unilaterally decided to field its own candidate but without consulting the alliance partners, let alone the other opposition parties,” the VPP leader said.
He said the fact that the Congress did not reach out to Syngkon signified the party was not really serious with the matter in opposing the BJP during the Speaker’s election.
Stating that Syngkon’s decision to abstain from voting is entirely constitutional, Rani said abstention is a recognised parliamentary procedure and has precedents in the Indian Lok Sabha history. He said there are numerous instances where MPs abstained from voting for various reasons, reflecting the democratic right to express non-participation when circumstances are unclear or unsatisfactory.
“The VPP has made it clear that we would extend our support for the INDIA bloc when they need our support and that, such support is not in conflict with our ideology. Our decision, in fact, reflects a principled stand in the face of ambiguity, not a withdrawal of support on substantive issues,” Rani said.
Slamming the leader of Opposition, the VPP said the Congress in Meghalaya has displayed a blatant lack of principles under Ronnie V Lyngdoh’s leadership.
“While Ronnie serves as the leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, the Congress simultaneously partners with the ruling NPP in the KHADC,” Rani said adding that, “This dual role, with Ronnie also serving as an MDC in the KHADC, exemplifies political opportunism and a lack of consistency.”
“The Congress’ contradictory positions reveal their politics of convenience, devoid of any steadfast principles. Ronnie V Lyngdoh epitomises this unprincipled approach, and thus, he is in no position to lecture the VPP on political conduct,” Rani said.
He added, “While we respect Ronnie V Lyngdoh’s freedom of expression, we firmly reject his baseless criticism. The VPP’s decisions are grounded in principled stands and clarity of purpose, something the Congress in Meghalaya, under his leadership, sorely lacks.”
“If Lyngdoh is really serious about democracy and secularism, he should advise his party leadership to learn to act more pragmatic and with maturity. More importantly, he should sever ties with his own BJP-led NDA partnership,” the VPP leader added.