Shillong: The Voice of the People Party is moving ahead with its protest march to the Meghalaya Secretariat on August 6. Tensions flared Monday after the party rejected a proposal from the MDA government to submit a memorandum instead of hitting the streets. The government wants the VPP to talk directly with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbahalang Dhar urged the opposition to skip the protest and open a dialogue. "There is no need for a march to the Secretariat. They can submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister and we can discuss any urgent issues," Dhar told reporters. He claimed the state is already working on the issues the party raised.
VPP spokesperson Dr. A.W. Rani pushed back hard. He argued that the party has handed over written requests repeatedly, but officials ignored them every time. VPP President Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit warned the administration not to downplay the march. He wants the Chief Minister to stay in Shillong on August 6 to see the public frustration for himself.
The BJP slammed the upcoming event. They called the demonstration a hostage situation for commuters and told the VPP to stop the street theatrics. The VPP responded by noting that the Assembly does not allow enough time to debate every public issue. They insist public campaigns are necessary to hold the government accountable and serve as a vital democratic platform.
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