Shillong, Sep 20: On the reported move of certain MLAs of the United Democratic Party (UDP) to merge with the BJP, Voice of the People Party (VPP) president and Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has not directly commented on the issue but asked what the saffron party wants from Meghalaya in return.
The rebel UDP legislators have submitted a list of demands to the BJP, which runs the central government, over a host of issues. The ruling party has reportedly looked favourably on the list, which includes coal mining, inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) and relocation of the residents of Them Iew Mawlong.
Basaiawmoit asked the electorate of the state to reflect and to judge the motives of the BJP if it agrees to the demands of the UDP MLAs.
The VPP president pointed out that Meghalaya is a Christian-majority state and voters should look beyond and see what the BJP wants to get out of the state.
He urged the people not to think too much about what the BJP will give the state even as he added that he does not believe the saffron party will agree to something without expecting something greater in return.
While pointing out that the BJP is a political front of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), “which wants to turn India into a Hindu state”, Basaiawmoit said that the cadres of the latter are disciplined and ready to sacrifice themselves and they have their own objective.
The VPP chief also said that the BJP government at the Centre wants to make India a technologically advanced country and brought in the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act 2025 as well as amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act 1957.
SHANTI Act is a landmark Indian law that overhauls the nation’s atomic energy sector by ending state monopoly and allowing private sector participation.
“The SHANTI Act and amendment to the MMDR Act clearly points out that if the Centre wants to achieve this dream of becoming a global player in the world they will need stable energy only through nuclear power,” he added.
Basaiawmoit also pointed out that during the Autumn Session of the Assembly he told the house that they should not be satisfied with only passing a resolution against uranium mining. “Will this resolution stall the aims and ambitions of the government of India to become a global power?” he asked.
The public in Meghalaya is generally believed to be staunchly opposed to uranium mining and all political parties have followed suit. The resolution against uranium mining was passed unanimously.
