By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 3: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) candidate for the Shillong Parliamentary by-election, Batskhem Myrboh, on Wednesday said the party would continue pursuing the agenda outlined in its 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto, describing the upcoming by-poll as a continuation of the people’s mandate.
Speaking to a section of reporters, Myrboh said the by-election was necessitated by the untimely demise of the party’s MP, Ricky AJ Syngkon, and, therefore, the VPP would seek to carry forward the commitments made to the electorate in 2024.
“The manifesto that we prepared in 2024 remains our roadmap, and we will continue to pursue the issues highlighted in it,” he said.
Myrboh said the party’s foremost priorities remain good governance, democracy, secularism, and pluralism, while safeguarding the rights and interests of Meghalaya’s indigenous people.
He said the VPP would continue to push for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the extension of Article 371 provisions to Meghalaya, and strengthening grassroots governance under the Sixth Schedule.
The VPP candidate also stressed the need to improve the functioning of central educational institutions in Meghalaya and promote foreign language learning and soft-skill development to create employment opportunities for local youth, particularly in view of India’s Act East Policy.
“We want these institutions to function in the best interest of the people of Meghalaya and equip our youth with skills that can generate employment opportunities,” he said.
Myrboh further said the party would work to improve the lives of people residing in the interstate and international border areas, protect the environment, and seek amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to safeguard the interests of small miners in the state.
Reiterating the party’s stand on national issues, he said the VPP would oppose any attempt to impose the Uniform Civil Code and any move to impose a particular language on minority communities. He also stressed the need for the effective implementation of centrally sponsored schemes to ensure that their benefits reach the people.
Outlining his priorities if elected to Parliament, Myrboh said his primary responsibility would be to ensure that laws and policies enacted by the Centre do not adversely affect Meghalaya’s interests. “My top priority in Parliament will be to ensure that the interests of the people of the state are protected, whether in education, culture, mining, industries, or any other sector,” he said.
Defending the demand for ILP, Myrboh maintained that it was fully consistent with constitutional provisions aimed at protecting indigenous communities.
“While there are constitutional guarantees relating to freedom of movement and residence, there are also safeguards to protect the rights and interests of indigenous tribal people. We will pursue these issues within the ambit of the Constitution of India,” he said.
Asked whether he could fill the void left by the late MP, Myrboh described Syngkon as his teacher, guide, and mentor.
“I do not know whether I can fit into the shoes left by him. But one thing I know is that, just like Dr Ricky, I will remain committed to the interests of the people, the issues affecting the state and the aims and objectives of the party,” he said.
Myrboh said he would follow up on the initiatives undertaken by the late MP and continue pursuing issues that remain unresolved under the party’s manifesto.
Rejecting suggestions that the VPP’s prospects in the by-poll were dependent solely on sympathy following Syngkon’s demise, Myrboh said the party’s electoral success in 2024 demonstrated that people supported the VPP’s principles, vision and agenda.
“The people support the issues raised by the party and its vision for Meghalaya. We believe they will continue to support the party on that basis,” he added.
