SHILLONG: The Voice of the People’s Party has ruled out contesting the upcoming elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council scheduled for April 10, with party president and Nongkrem legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit asserting that the regional outfit will instead consolidate its ideological base before making further electoral forays. Even as the party has emerged as a formidable force in 36 seats across the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region, it is yet to make inroads into the 24 seats of Garo Hills — a political landscape it now appears willing to watch from the sidelines, at least for the district council polls.
Talking to media persons in Shillong, Basaiawmoit said, “A lot of request has come to us to field candidates in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council but in my recent visit also I have made it very clear that as of now we are going to watch, we are not going to rush because we are firm in our approach that whoever joins VPP they must understand the basis principle, the ideology, the philosophy. Unless you fully subscribe to what we believe, we are not going because VPP is not a political party to contest elections, It is a kind of movement, a revolution to change the mind of people from what we are practicing now to a new difference altogether.” Asked about contesting Assembly elections, he said, “sure you will see, time will tell how many seats.” While refusing to divulge details, he added, “we are fighting against shark.”
