By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 29: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Sunday launched a sharp critique of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government’s claims on its eighth anniversary, stating that projecting “stability” without accountability renders governance hollow and disconnected from ground realities.
VPP spokesperson A.W. Rani told The Shillong Times that the MDA’s claim of “stability” after eight years in power invites a deeper reflection on what stability truly means in a democratic society,” adding that “stability, if it merely signifies continuity of power without accountability, becomes hollow.”
He said, “Governance must be judged not by longevity, but by the extent to which it transforms people’s lives,” while pointing out that “despite the narrative of consistency, institutional weaknesses persist, and many fundamental challenges remain unaddressed.”
Referring to the government’s claims, he stated, “The government cites 1,576 projects in the Khasi Hills and investments of nearly Rs 21,000 crore in the Jaintia Hills as markers of progress. Yet, development cannot be reduced to numbers alone.”
“Across rural Meghalaya, poor roads, weak connectivity, and delayed or incomplete projects tell a different story. Announcement is not achievement. Real development is measured by visible, lived improvements, not by figures in speeches,” he added.
On welfare measures, Rani said, “Welfare schemes such as Rs 32.7 crore for PRIME, Rs 136 crore for homestays, and Rs 60 crore in scholarships may indicate activity, but they do not necessarily signal transformation.”
“A scholarship of Rs 6,000 per student per year offers limited relief without addressing deeper structural issues in education and employment,” he said, adding that “the absence of a clear strategy for job creation continues to leave the youth uncertain about their future.” The VPP leader also pointed out that environmental commitments, including Rs 120 crore under Green Meghalaya, must also be weighed against ongoing concerns of deforestation and ecological stress.
He cautioned that without measurable outcomes, such allocations risk becoming symbolic gestures rather than meaningful interventions.
Highlighting governance concerns, he said, “A deeper concern lies in the apparent absence of coherent policy direction in several sectors. Governance seems increasingly driven by impulse rather than a well-defined framework.” He added, “It resembles a traveler walking without a map—moving forward, yet uncertain of the destination,” noting that “decisions appear reactive, shaped by immediate pressures rather than long-term planning, resulting in fragmented outcomes rather than sustained progress.”
Rani also questioned the overlap between governance and political activity, stating, “The celebration of ‘MDA 8 years’ in Tura with grand fanfare raises a fundamental ethical question: when such events resemble a party programme of the National People’s Party (NPP), how is the use of public resources justified?” He asserted, “Public funds must serve the people, not political projection.”
He further said that after eight years, Meghalaya does not need promises or narratives; it needs accountability, transparency, and development that is real, inclusive, and felt by every citizen.
