Shillong, Mar 1: Voice of the People Party (VPP) president and Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has said that the ruling NPP is losing its grip in Garo Hills.
“That is a fact. But as of now there is no alternative,” he said.
According to him people of Garo Hills too are looking up to the VPP and therefore his party needs to work harder and give more time to the leaders in Garo Hills is concerned even as he stated that the party is targeting the 2028 Assembly polls.
He said that the true picture of the situation in Garo Hills will not be the outcome of the GHADC polls this year.
However, the VPP chief hoped that the anti-incumbency against the NPP works in the coming GHADC election, but added that it depends on the political parties contesting the polls and what kind of candidate they field and their manifestos.
“The most important factor that the people of Garo Hills expect is that these political parties should not encourage non-tribals to participate in the election. Not only to contest but also to vote,” Basaiawmoit added.
According to him the Garos feel that the district councils are for the tribals and even the VPP believe that in an election to the traditional institution non-tribals should not be encouraged to participate.
“Non-tribals should also understand that this is meant purely for the indigenous tribes of the state because if a non-tribal is elected to an autonomous district council then what is the purpose and the role of such an individual. For whose interest will he plead or discuss in the district council,” the VPP president said.
He added that the district council is meant to protect the tribes in the tribal areas. Basaiawmoit, while reiterating that the party will not contest the 2026 GHADC polls, informed that he has instructed that the members cannot support any candidates as members of the VPP.
“You can support (a candidate) as an individual, because we don’t want to be seen, especially by members in Garo Hills, that they don’t have any principle,” Basaiawmoit said.
He said that the individuals joined the VPP since they understand the principle of the party and we don’t want it to be diluted just because of one election adding that it will not support any political party in the GHADC polls.
