By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 12: The usually vocal Voice of the People Party (VPP) has drawn attention in the Assembly over its stoic silence and absence from key proceedings over the five-day session.
All party legislators skipped the felicitation of newly-elected Deputy Speaker Limison D. Sangma.
While members from both the ruling and the opposition bench were seen giving befitting welcome to the Deputy Speaker, Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang, Mawryngkneng MLA Heaving Stone Kharpran and North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum were missing, their chairs left empty during the event.
Although there was no explanation for their absence, it underscored a larger pattern. As many as 28 supplementary demands for grants and supplementary appropriation for 2025-26 were tabled, but the VPP did not move a single motion.
Over the five days, the VPP’s participation was negligible, leaving the task of questioning the government entirely on the TMC, which carried the debate on its own.
The VPP’s non-participation has now raised questions on whether the Ardent-led party was shirking its responsibilities as the opposition voice in the Assembly.
