Shanlang Warjri who has decided to contest the 2023 Assembly elections from Mairang constituency as a candidate of the newly floated Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) has scoffed rumours that he has backed out from the race.
Speaking to this reporter today, Warjri who is contesting against Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh said that various rumours have been spread by his rivals that he may not contest the elections.
“I am determined to contest the 2023 polls from Mairang constituency. Those who spread the rumours that I may not contest are doing so to mislead the people since they are worried by the overwhelming support that I am getting from people in the constituency,” Warjri said.
Warjri who had resigned as pastor of the Presbyterian Church said he decided to enter politics as Mairang lacked leaders who understood the suffering of the people especially the poor and underprivileged.
“In the past Mairang has produced several leaders who have done a lot to uplift the people but nowadays the constituency is suffering as there are no leaders who really work for the welfare of the people. That is the reason that I decided to take a plunge in the political area,” Warjri said.
Stating that his entry into politics for contesting the 2023 elections was to reform politics and serve the interest of the poor and needy, Warjri said that he wanted to bring changes.
“I wanted to be the voice of the voiceless and the downtrodden. I wanted to give hope to those who have lost hope and to fight against those who trample upon the poor and needy, to fight against making politics as a business enterprise and to fight against corruption and dynastic politics,” he added.
Warjri said that the phenomenon of dynastic politics posed a grave danger to Mairang constituency in particular and the State in general.
“The decision of one dynasty in collusion with few vested interests is not the decision of the people. We should not elect anybody because he or she is giving money. The wisdom of the people in electing their representative is very important in order to facilitate clean and accountable governance,” he said.