Is the move of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) to not be part of the All Party Committee on Railway Connectivity in Meghalaya a ploy to lure voters?
It may be mentioned that recently, the VPP has been able to capture the mind and heart of the public in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region by catering to the needs and interests of the people of this one region of the state.
It may be mentioned that several pressure groups in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region are opposed to railways without introducing a mechanism to safeguard the indigenous people from unabated influx.
The VPP which currently is riding on populist appeal since it is being to connect with the people through its agenda of clean politics, to fight rampant corruption in the state and eradicating poverty in the State.
According to the VPP, any premature discussion on railway connectivity, without first addressing these fundamental concerns, would only lead to a waste of valuable time and resources.
The VPP is of the opinion that before any discussion on the introduction of railway lines in Khasi and Jaintia Hills can take place, it is imperative to first address the genuine concerns of the people regarding unchecked influx into the state.
By taking a firm stance on the railway issue, the party is connecting with the people and addressing their genuine concerns. The party’s president, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, has been vocal about the need to prioritize the interests of the indigenous population.
The inability of the state government to convince the stakeholders to allow railways in Khai-Jaintia Hills region, with the Meghalaya government gearing up to return Rs. 209.37 crore meant for land acquisition under the project to the Ministry of Railways.
The proposed Tetelia-Byrnihat railway line failed to take off after pressure groups halted the railway project in 2017.
The cost of the proposed 20.5-km railway line linking Tetelia in Assam and Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi was estimated to cost around Rs 496 crore. The length of the track in Meghalaya was just 2.5 km and the project was supposed to culminate at Byrnihat.
The VPP’s decision to opt out of the All Party Committee on Railway Connectivity whether driven by genuine concerns or otherwise only time will tell.
For the moment the party’s stance in the eyes of its supporters reflects its commitment to addressing the concerns of the people and prioritizing their interests.
