SHILLONG, Feb 13: All does not seem to be well with the Voice of the People Party (VPP) as reports of a “internal rift” has surfaced with one group of party leaders led by North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum levelling accusations against the party leadership which has countered it by accusing the disgruntled group of repeatedly opposing key decisions made by the leadership.
A video post featuring Nongrum and a group of six individuals levelling allegations against the VPP leadership has gone viral on social media. VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh, however, dismissed the allegations as an attempt to weaken the party ahead of the district council elections.
According to Myrboh, VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit received a letter from the Nongrum-led group on February 4, demanding a meeting to discuss their grievances. The letter also asked the party to publicly apologise for its alleged mistakes.
Myrboh said the party did not refuse the meeting but the conditions set by the group were unreasonable since the leadership was being forced into submission.
He revealed that party general secretary and Shillong MP, Ricky AJ Syngkon had attempted to reach out to the group, but they declined to engage, saying it was too late for discussions.
Following this breakdown in communication, the group led by Nongrum released a short video teaser online, claiming that a full-length video “exposing” the party’s alleged internal issues would be released soon.
The timing of this video release has raised concerns among VPP leaders, who suspect that the move is aimed at creating divisions within the party at a critical juncture when the party is busy with the election process.
Myrboh also clarified that the allegations raised in the video had already been discussed within the party’s state executive committee and were its internal matters.
He stated that some NPP leaders were aware of these internal tensions even before the video was made public and had spoken about them during their campaign meetings. He alleged that there is a deliberate attempt to destabilise the party ahead of the elections.
He further claimed that those supporting Nongrum were denied VPP election tickets. He accused Nongrum of repeatedly opposing key decisions made by the party leadership, including the implementation of the MLA scheme, the selection of Syngkon as the MP candidate, and the introduction of private bills in the Assembly.
He also alleged that Nongrum had acted independently on the job reservation policy, despite the party appointing Airpeace Well Rani and Batskhem Myrboh to lead discussions on the matter.
Despite the ongoing rift, Myrboh asserted that the VPP remains strong and united.
He dismissed claims that the party is on the verge of breaking apart and maintained that this was an attempt by external forces to create instability.
Making it clear that VPP has not taken any formal action against Nongrum and his group, Myrboh emphasized that the leadership remains committed to unity and will continue working together to strengthen the party.
