Basaiawmoit, also former president of the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) and former Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chief, was also elected as president of the adhoc body during a meeting held here.
“In view of the present state of affair in the state, the absence of a strong political will and the failure of the existing political parties to live up to the expectations of the people, we have decided to float a new regional political party namely Voice of the People Party in short VPP in order to bring about a political change in the state,” Basaiawmoit told reporters.
According to him, the state is going to complete 50 years of its existence in 2022 yet it is sad to see that it is going down in all aspects.
“As concerned citizens of the state we cannot sit idle and turn a blind eye to what we witnessed and hear about the present situation in the state,” he said.
Basaiawmoit also appealed to the people of the state to be part of this effort to bring about a change in politics in the state of Meghalaya and also to give the new party a chance to govern the state.
“We can assure the people of Meghalaya that a vote for us is number one a vote for a real and complete change, a vote for a clean and good governance, a vote for a strong and decisive leadership, a vote for peace and security, a vote for an all round and inclusive development and last but not the least a vote for unity,” he said.
“We strongly believe that today we are giving a message of hope to the people of the state and we are also sure that the people of the state will not waste this opportunity if we want to bring in a new era in the state,” he further added.
The VPP is backed by intellectuals of the state. The party’s adhoc body includes Dr Kara H Shen, a retired professor of St Anthony’s college as its vice president, Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon, assistant professor NEHU – general secretary, Dr Batskhem Myrboh, assistant professor (political science) Synod college – assistant general secretary cum spokesperson, Dr Peter Daniel S Khariong from Woodland hospital – finance secretary, Winston Tony Lyngdoh, former community development facilitator (World Vision) – organizing secretary and Rocky Marak – organizing secretary in-charge Garo Hills.
Basaiawmoit informed that the new party will be formally launched in the month of November adding that it will be registered in due course of time.
“We will definitely contest and participate in the 2023 Assembly elections,” he said.
When asked, the former MLA said that the party’s fight will not depend on how much money we have but what issues, agendas and ideologies we will take to the people.
“We stress on the need for clean and good governance. It is a fact that whenever we talk about politics, we talk only about money power, we know that as a group we are penniless but we are ready to take on against the moneybag politicians because we have seen where the state stands today,” he added.
On former UDP president (L) Dr Donkupar’s Roy dream for unification of regional forces in the state, Basaiawmoit however said, “The need of the hour is for principle centred politics, ideological and issue based politics – so unity of regional parties before election and just to win election will not serve the purpose.”
The former MLA expressed confidence that the new regional party will not fail the people of Meghalaya.
“So we strongly believe that this party will not fail because we know the pulse of the people. There is a sense of insecurity, a feeling of uneasiness everywhere, there is anger and frustration among the youths and as you can see there is lawlessness, unemployment is on the rise – the list can go on and on. So therefore we have high hope that this newly announced party will not fail and we believe that the people will not just complain after the election but what they need is that they need to take election seriously and what type of people and party should they vote to power or else there is no point to complain after the election so with this message i think the people of the state will not take 2023 election so lightly as they did before,” he said.
Basaiawmoit also informed the issues and programmes reflecting the aims and objectives of the party will be informed at an appropriate time.
To another query, the former MLA said even though he has got a chance to join national parties but refused as “I am a hardcore regional man. So I want to revive and give a new face to a regional party by floating this new party today.”
He further clarified that the reasons he left the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the HSPDP was never a personal clash but was due to clash of issues and ideas.
Meanwhile, Basaiawmoit maintained that the new party welcomes everyone to join its fold but will not invite people just for the sake of contesting elections.
“We will screen and we have to understand the mind of anyone who would like to join with us and we want to give them a chance to know the ideology the principle and issues of the party, we will not invite people just for the sake of contesting elections but they have to be principle based person and ideological and issue based people. If anyone is willing to work with us under these principles and ideologies we welcome everyone. There are no personal issues while inducting a new person to the party,” he stated.
By Our Reporter
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