Shillong, Oct 26: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H Pala has claimed that the Voice of the People Party (VPP) is losing public support in parts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills, arguing that the regional party’s popularity has weakened since its strong showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Pala attributed the VPP’s initial rise largely to social media mobilisation, claiming that the momentum which helped the party make a breakthrough in the elections was now fading.
He said his assessment was based on visits to areas where the VPP had earlier enjoyed considerable support, including Mylliem, Sohra and the border belt of Pynursla. He also claimed that the party’s support base had weakened in Jaintia Hills.
According to Pala, the VPP was no longer gaining ground and was instead facing a gradual decline in its popularity.
The Congress leader also questioned the VPP’s performance in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), raising concerns over its handling of the council’s affairs.
He pointed to controversies surrounding the removal of traditional chiefs, or Syiems, and the legal proceedings linked to such decisions, questioning whether the party had been able to manage the council effectively.
Pala further took aim at the VPP’s broader political ambitions, questioning its ability to govern at the state level when it was facing challenges in administering an autonomous district council.
On the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, Pala predicted a triangular contest involving the Congress, the National People’s Party (NPP) and the VPP.
However, he said the electoral picture would become clearer only after the by-poll is officially announced and candidates complete the nomination process.
The VPP emerged as a major political force in Meghalaya during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when its candidate Ricky AJ Syngkon won the Shillong seat, defeating Pala, who was then the sitting MP. Syngkon’s death in February this year necessitated the by-election.
