SHILLONG, MAR 26: Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) candidate Robertjune Kharjahrin on Tuesday said that the newly floated opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) will not stand a chance to win from Shillong parliamentary seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Kharjahrin filed his nomination papers at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. He was accompanied by the UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh and HSPDP president KP Pangniang besides MLAs, MDCs, party leaders and workers from both the alliance partners.

Speaking to reporters, Kharjahrin said the RDA will not withdraw its candidature but will work hard to win the upcoming elections.

“If you go by the vote share, UDP and HSPDP combined security the maximum vote (in 2023) and we are very much confident that we will add to that vote share. Definitely, I am hundred percent confident that we will win this election,” he said.

Stating that the VPP is not a threat to the RDA, Kharjahrin said, “VPP is a new party with no grassroot workers. VPP does not have MLAs and MDCs like we have. VPP will not stand a chance (to win) as we have a much better chance to win compared to the other candidates.”

“I don’t want to argue with this person (Ardent Basaiawmoit) but I will only remind that what he had stated in Mawkyrwat in 2018 that the new party will reach nowhere so this time also the new party (VPP) will reach nowhere,” he said.

Highlighting the issues of the RDA, Kharjahrin said the alliance would fight for immediate implementation of the inner line permit (ILP), inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution, resolving the border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya, reviewing the boundary issue between India and Bangladesh in Meghalaya sector and others.

“We will fight to ensure secularism remains in India. We will make sure each and every citizen in India does have a right to choose their own religion and own faith as whatever they want or wish. Respecting religious sentiments will be our priority. We will stand for the indigenous faith and will try our best to secure the indigenous faith in Meghalaya like Seng Khasi, Seinraij will get minority status,” he said..

On the performance of the sitting MP, Kharjahrin said that he would leave it to the people to judge but it is high time to replace Vincent H Pala, who has been MP for the past 15 years.

“I have respect for him (Pala). He is a gentleman but you have seen he has not been able to do much so I do feel it is high time that we replace him. I am sure the people of the constituency have given him enough time to prove himself, let the people judge that.”

On BJP’s decision to extend full support to NPP, the RDA candidate said, “Let us be very frank, they have been working together in the parliament for the past many years, they support CAB together, they were doing many things together so I am not surprise that they are having pre poll alliance so let people decide on that.”

Also Read: Agatha files nomination for Tura Lok Sabha seat with family by her side

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