The Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Wednesday announced that it will soon meet the state government to press for a review of Meghalaya’s reservation policy, making it clear that it is “not satisfied and not happy” with the expert committee’s recommendation to maintain status quo and will not accept the proposal in its present form.
Stepping up political pressure on the sensitive issue of state reservation, VPP president Ardent Basaiawmoit said the party intends to engage the government directly and seek clarity before any formal adoption of the panel’s report. “We are not at all satisfied and we are not going to accept the recommendation in its original form,” Basaiawmoit told reporters after raising the matter in the Assembly. “What we were discussing is the recommendations… it is yet to be officially adopted. The very important question to the chief minister is whether he will take us into consideration before formally accepting it.”
The development comes after Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma indicated in the House that he is open to meeting legislators on the issue — an overture the VPP chief acknowledged while signalling that the party will test the government’s intent through direct dialogue. “I am sure you must have heard that the chief minister is willing to discuss with us one on one… we will go by that first and we will also further explore ways and means how to ensure that what we want as a party… will be dealt with in a very serious manner,” Basaiawmoit said.
The VPP also questioned the eight-month delay between the submission of the expert committee’s report and the government’s response, describing the gap as a cause for concern. Basaiawmoit said the delay made the party “suspicious,” though he added that the VPP does not want to “criticise too much.”
Framing the demand within the larger context of Meghalaya’s tribal character and precedents across the Northeast, Basaiawmoit asserted that the state cannot be treated on par with non-tribal states. “The chief minister has admitted Meghalaya is a tribal state… almost all tribal states in the NE have more than 80% reservation… even the Supreme Court has said tribal states cannot be placed on the same footing as others. I still have hope if the state government takes a bold step,” he said.
While ruling out any immediate deadline for government action, the VPP maintained that it will pursue sustained engagement. “As of now we do not see the need… we are going to meet the state government and discuss, and we hope the government will respond positively,” Basaiawmoit said.
Signalling that the agitation may extend beyond the corridors of power, the VPP chief said the party will simultaneously reach out to the public to build consensus. “The people of the state have been the main stakeholder in this agitation… we shall have to go to the people, explain, and seek their opinion. It may go simultaneously,” he said.
On the contentious demand for 47% reservation for Khasi-Jaintia communities, Basaiawmoit defended the party’s position, arguing that it reflects demographic realities and mounting employment pressures. “We feel that if the government understands the pressure… on educated and qualified youth, that is a very reasonable ratio,” he added.
VPP to Meet Govt, Rejects Status Quo on Reservation Policy; Seeks Bold Step on Tribal Quota
