SHILLONG:
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has said that Meghalaya is rich in natural resources, but after 51 years since it attained statehood, the leaders have made it the poorest state in the North East.
“It is shameful, I feel sorry and it is painful to see your own state in such a condition. We could have been one of the most prosperous states in the country,” Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, President of VPP, said while campaigning for East Shillong candidate Avner Medon Pariat at Malki Point on February 24.
Basaïawmoit moaned the large-scale unemployment, and disturbance in peace and security in the state despite its potential, which inspired him and a group of likeminded citizens to form a new party to usher in change for the coming generations.
In the 51 years of achieving statehood, he said, it has been run blindly without any farsightedness or vision.
“We did not form this party only to win elections, but because we are looking into 40–50 years from now,” Basaiawmoit said.
He said that contract and supply works in various government departments have been snatched by the legislators depriving youths of employment.
“But if the Voice of the People Party gets a chance to govern the state, we will not allow an MLA or a minister to get contracts,” he said.
Basaïawmoit also said that the party aims to strengthen government-run health centres and government schools so that the poor can receive affordable healthcare and better education.
He accused those in government of keeping people poor in order to use them as vote banks.