By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 12: Voice of the People Party (VPP) chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has dared the National People’s Party and its allies to step aside if they cannot handle the job, accusing it of failing on multiple fronts while expecting the Opposition to bail it out.
In a fierce critique of the ruling coalition, he accused the NPP-led MDA 2.0 government of shirking responsibility and deflecting real issues back at the Opposition, which includes the VPP.
He questioned the expectations placed on the VPP to offer solutions while the government, despite deploying an army of advisors, continues to fumble on core governance matters.
“If they feel they cannot do the job, they can step aside and allow us to do it instead,” Basaiawmoit said, asking why a government that has spent crores on hiring advisors still turns to the Opposition for help.
Targeting the NPP-led coalition, he said it was ironic that a government that claims to have “efficient leaders” seeks help from the Opposition when it finds itself entangled in crises.
“The VPP’s role is to keep the government in check and raise issues concerning the state and its people. But surprisingly, supporters of the ruling parties, especially the NPP, expect us to offer solutions, despite them spending huge amounts on their appointed advisors,” he said.
Basaiawmoit made it clear that the VPP had made several constructive submissions in the past, which were routinely ignored by the government. “They never listened to the suggestions made by us on many occasions,” he stated.
He pointed to the government’s tactic of frequently asking the Opposition to provide suggestions when pressed on serious issues.
This, he said, underlines the ruling coalition’s inability to lead effectively.
Basaiawmoit’s statement underscored the VPP’s sustained bid to position itself as a credible alternative amid growing dissatisfaction over governance and delivery failures.