MPCC chief slams VPP’s Batskhem Myrboh for terming Congress a ‘political clown’
SHILLONG, Jan 12: Taking a dig at VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh for his remark that the Congress and the NPP will work together in the KHADC after the polls, MPCC president Vincent H Pala on Sunday said he (Myrboh) is not a “prophet” to make such “predictions”.
Pala said this only reflects the frustration within the VPP as its leaders are trying to interfere in the affairs of other parties.
“We will decide who we will work with. He (Myrboh) should focus on matters concerning his party rather than focusing on the move of other parties,” he said.
Pala took a strong exception to Myrboh calling Congress a “political clown” by referring to the decision of the party to withdraw support from the NPP-led Executive Committee in the KHADC.
The MPCC chief questioned the failure of two of the four VPP legislators who led the KHADC as the Chief Executive Member (CEM) in the past.
“I would like to know what they have done during their tenure as the council’s CEMs. Neither of them lasted too long as the CEM, indicating their failure to provide leadership to the council,” Pala.
The VPP chief and Nongkrem MLA, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit was the CEM from March 8 to September 30, 2014, while the party MLA from North Shillong, Adelbert Nongrum held the position from October 8, 2014, to May 5, 2015.
Justifying the Congress’s decision to support the NPP-led EC, Pala said his party wanted to ensure stability in the council after the UDP-led Executive Committee collapsed.
“We also decided this as the Centre sought suggestions from the autonomous district councils before finalising the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. I feel we have done our job for the council’s interest,” he stated.
Replying to a query, the MPCC chief said he did not think the VPP would be able to repeat its Lok Sabha election performance in the upcoming polls to the KHADC and JHADC.
“Every election is different. I do not see any wave in favour of the VPP,” he said.
Pointing out that the vote share of Congress has increased in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, Pala said the party is confident of performing better in the upcoming polls.
Earlier, Myrboh reminded the public of how Congress “stubbornly” remained in coalition with the NPP in the EC of the KHADC despite facing severe criticism.
Stating that the Congress pullout from the NPP-led EC was completely a drama, he said the grand old party was like a political clown in Meghalaya.
According to him, Congress is in a sorry state of affairs and did not rule out a collusion between Congress and the NPP.
“Congress fights elections independently and pulls out from the EC to improve image but after the election, they will come together because the fight now is VPP versus all (political parties). So, irrespective of whether they pull out or not it is a matter of their strategy,” Myrboh said.
The VPP spokesperson said all the political parties were in the same boat. He also claimed the NPP could form the government in 2023 because it was helped by Congress.