SHILLONG, Jan 15: VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit faced hostility during his address at an election rally in Nongstoin when protesters holding placards and black flags shouted slogans to condemn the VPP chief for snatching away the party ticket from Marbiang Nongsiej after announcing his name as the party candidate from Nongstoin constituency for the KHADC polls.
The protesters said it was not the first time Basaiawmoit had changed the candidate. They recalled that as president of the HSPDP, Basaiawmoit had awarded the ticket for the 2015 Assembly bypoll to Diosstarness Jyndiang following the demise of HSPDP supremo Hopingstone Lyngdoh, against the demands of the people to give the ticket to then sitting MDC of Nongstoin, LG Nongsiej.
They accused the VPP chief of insulting the people of Nongstoin.
The VPP has announced the name of Juristman Iawphniaw as its candidate from Nongstoin instead of Nongsiej.
The VPP’s decision followed the circulation of images and videos in the media showing Nongsiej congratulating Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma after securing a prospective mining lease in 2021.
Defending the decision, Basaiawmoit said the circulation of the image and video prompted the party to reconsider its decision due to concerns about the potential impact on the party’s image, since Nongsiej was allegedly involved in the coal trade.
Besides Nongstoin, the VPP is also facing issues with regard to allotment of party tickets for Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah, Jaiaw, and Mawlai constituencies.
VPP’s North Shillong MLA, Adelbert Nongrum has reportedly expressed his unhappiness over the party not consulting him before the allotment of the party tickets in Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah and Jaiaw constituencies.
In Mawlai, the VPP has awarded the ticket to Eddieson Kharumnuid who had withdrawn from the ticket. The candidate is backed by Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang.
Party sources have alleged favouritism and bias on the part of the VPP leadership in awarding the ticket, terming the same as an example of the “double standard” of the VPP leadership.
