Shillong, Dec 12: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has released the first list of 14 candidates for the 2023 Assembly elections.
The names are VPP president and former Nongkrem legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit ( Nongkrem), lone woman candidate, Aibandaplin F Lyngdoh (Mylliem), Damewanhii L Rymbai (Khliehriat), Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon (Umsning), Heavingstone Kharpran (Mawryngkneng), Brightstarwell Marbaniang (Mawlai), Avner Pariat (East Shillong), Raja Jyrwa (West Shillong), Danny Langstieh (South Shillong), Winston Tony Lyngdoh (Nongthymmai), Doristar Marbaniang (Mawphlang), Manbhalang Thabah (Pynursla), Shanlang Warjri (Mairang) and Overlin Imiong (Ranikor).
The chairman of the SEC Dr Kara H Shen told reporters that the party is yet to decide on whether to contest from all the 36 seats in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
“We may field candidates from the Garo Hills region but we cannot say as of now. However, we will declare the second and third lists of candidates very soon,” he said.
The party will release its manifesto once the elections are announced by the Election Commission of India.
He said majority of the candidates are first timers and added that tickets have been allotted after taking their background and educational qualification into consideration.
“I agree that winnability is important and we are fielding only new faces to give options to the people since they are fed up with the present leaders. Therefore, we leave it to the wisdom of the people,” he added.
Dr Kara said the VPP stands for clean politics. “We have decided whether we win or lose we will stick to our stand that money should not play an important role while fighting the elections. We have gone to the people and made them understand about the principles and ideologies of the party so now we leave it to their wisdom”, he said.
VPP spokesperson Dr Batskhem Myrboh has expressed confidence that the party will win from all the seats that it is contesting in the 2023 polls.
To a question as to how will the party beat money power, Dr Batskhem said, “The philosophy and ideology of the VPP is to bring a change through clean politics in order to bring good governance as the ultimate goal of the party while participating in politics is not only to win election but election is just a means but the ultimate aim is to bring good governance and development. If we win elections but fail to ensure governance then the victory would surely be a curse to the people of the state.”
He said contesting elections is not only to win but to provide political education to the masses – that is the twin objective of the VPP. “You can say that VPP is a political party and at the same time a political movement. If we lose the election, it is not our loss but the presence of the VPP will make an impact in the political system and society as a whole,” he said.
He wanted the people of Meghalaya to vote for an alternative government in 2023.
Dr Batskhem said the people should vote against the political parties which are part of the present MDA government in view of the many allegations of corruption.
“What is needed is for the people to vote for other parties which are not part of the MDA government. In other states, if there are allegations of corruption against a government, people vote for other political parties but that depends on the wisdom of the people. Therefore, if we want to see the progress of Meghalaya progress, people should form an alternative government,” he said.
According to him, an alternative government can investigate the alleged corruption of the previous government. If the people do not vote for an alternative government and continue to vote for the political parties’ which are part of the present government, no change will come because a new government with the same political parties cannot investigate the different allegations of corruption. Therefore it depends on the wisdom of the people.”
The spokesperson further maintained that the VPP may form a coalition government with other political parties but “we will never sacrifice the principles of the party because the ideology of the party will come first and government second.”
Dr Batskhem said the VPP has already completed the registration process and is waiting for the Election Commission of India to allot a symbol. “We have applied and hopefully in the days to come we will get our symbol,” he added.
