SHILLONG: Voice of the People Party (VPP) President Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has sharply criticized the recent defection of eight United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), describing the move as opportunistic and motivated by backdoor politics and financial interests.
Basaiawmoit argued that the defection was driven by dissatisfaction with the ruling alliance’s failure to resolve core regional demands—including scientific coal mining, the implementation of the Meghalaya Inner Line Permit (MRSSA/ILP), and the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
He expressed skepticism about these demands being fulfilled, claiming the BJP leadership may only allow minor concessions but will never agree to measures that contradict its national ideology.
The VPP chief warned that such political maneuvers would not deceive the electorate and predicted that the people of Meghalaya would reject the BJP and its tactics in future elections.
(4FrontMedia news)
