VPP to lead EC in KHADC, says Ardent

Shillong, Feb 24: Voice of the People Party (VPP) supremo Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said his party will lead the new executive committee (EC) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on its own after having crossed the magic number in the just concluded elections, the results of which are declared on Monday.

The VPP became the single largest party after winning as many as 17 of 29 seats in the KHADC. However, the party managed to win only 8 out of 29 seats in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).

“I am happy that we are able to come out victorious despite the challenges we faced during the elections where we are alleged of being against the rangbah shnong and media persons besides fighting against money power. We are happy that people understand because we only want to ensure clean governance and our fight is never against the rangbah shnong or media persons. Therefore, we thank God and we thank the people for giving their mandate. This is just the beginning,” Basaiawmoit said.

The VPP chief also announced the party’s decision to form the EC in the KHADC on its own

“We will work alone and if others want to support our EC they are welcome to do so but there will be no post poll alliance with any political party,” he said while adding “We would welcome only unconditional support not conditional support.”

As far as JHADC is concerned, Basaiawmoit said, “We will take the right decision at an appropriate time.”

“We are not thinking of having any post poll alliance. We will meet as leaders of the party and we will take the right decision,” he added.

On the other hand, the VPP chief alleged the use of too much muscle power has affected the performance of his party in Jaintia Hills region.

“I am not happy because people in Jaintia Hills are not getting to participate in a free and fair election in many villages. This is the main reason why we were not able to come out as the single largest party in JHADC. Had it been the elections are conducted free and fair like in the KHADC, we do not doubt that we will win in JHADC,” he said.

“We were not worried about money power but the muscle power has affected us so much in which the dorbar shnong are threatening so there is no free and fair election. We have submitted list of highly sensitive polling stations and not a single police personnel were deployed in such polling stations,” he Basaiawmoit said while alleging that failure of the district administration to take action has led to the incidents of vandalism in the four polling stations in two constituencies in East Jaintia Hills district.

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