By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 26: Firebrand VPP supremo Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit unleashed a scathing attack on the NPP-led MDA 2.0 regime at a packed rally in Rambrai market, branding them selective legal “cherry-pickers” who adhere to Supreme Court rulings only when it suits them.
Introducing VPP’s Lok Sabha bypoll candidate, Batskhem Myrboh, the VPP chief alleged that the government was selectively invoking the Supreme Court of India ruling on the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) while ignoring other judicial directions.
“I feel strongly that the ministers in the MDA government are selectively referring to the Supreme Court’s ruling when it comes to teacher training and the TET, which is meant to ensure qualified teachers,” he said.
Targeting Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, he questioned why the ruling was being strictly enforced only in the case of teachers, whereas those associated with the MDA Government continued to use tinted vehicle glasses in violation of the apex court orders.
He further alleged that despite warnings from the High Court of Meghalaya against illegal coal mining, such activities continue unabated. “Only when tragic incidents occur, such as deaths from coal mine accidents, do they react—yet illegal mining still goes on,” he said.
Clarifying his party’s stand, Basaiawmoit said the VPP is not opposed to examinations or training for teachers but is against unfair treatment. He demanded that teachers be relieved from election duties and census work. He also criticised proposals to abolish the deficit system, alleging that it would weaken support for teachers.
“You are reducing their salaries—who will then choose teaching as a profession? Yet you claim to promote education,” he said, adding that merely ensuring students pass examinations without improving their competitiveness defeats the purpose of education.
Taking a jibe at the Education Minister, Basaiawmoit referred to a recent remark by Rymbui about his wearing dark sunglasses while addressing a rally at Motphran. “Today, the sun is behind me, so I do not need to wear dark glasses. The minister said I should remove them to see the Supreme Court order clearly. But I will not ask him to remove his glasses lest he loses his way to the Secretariat,” he said.
