Shillong: Voice of the People Party president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit stood by the suspension of North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum. The party head spoke at an election rally in Sutnga on October 18. He made it clear that no elected official gets a pass for ignoring party rules. Basaiawmoit insisted that the party values its ideology and public promises over individual standing.
“The VPP does not tolerate any wrongdoing by any of its four MLAs and takes disciplinary action,” Basaiawmoit said. He warned that this hard line extends to MDCs and all party members. The leadership maintains that official status does not grant immunity from internal regulations. Representatives must answer to the party structure at all times.
Nongrum previously called the suspension illegal and unconstitutional. He claims the party failed to follow proper procedures during the process. He pointed to a technical error in the order, which listed his name as Adelbert Nongrum Jaiaw Umsyntiew instead of his official title as the North Shillong representative. Despite the clash, Nongrum remains the North Shillong MLA and says he has no plans to leave the party.
The rift stems from fights over candidate picks for Autonomous District Council elections and strategy regarding the Shillong Lok Sabha seat. Leadership cited an unsatisfactory response to a show-cause notice as the final straw. While Nongrum cannot represent the VPP at official functions, his indefinite suspension took effect retroactively from February 24, 2025, following the announcement on March 28 of last year.
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