Shillong, Apr 6 (Representative) The Voice of the People Party (VPP), an emerging political party in Meghalaya, on released its manifesto with local issues which resonates with the sentiments of the people in Khasi-Jaintia Hills. In its manifesto, the VPP made its stand clear against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Meghalaya and opposed the Uniform Civil Code Bill. The party would advocate for putting Meghalaya under Article 371 to protect the state from the application of Central laws affecting the customs and traditions of the people. While opposing the implementation of CAA, the VPP said it would seek reinstatement of the names of Khasi and Jaintia Hills in the Preamble of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873. “Implement the ILP in Meghalaya to regulate the entry of outsiders and protect the interests of indigenous communities,” the manifesto stated. The newly formed VPP made its mark by winning four seats of the 18 seats contested in 2023 assembly election PP, which was party also opposes the imposition of Hindi language and advocated for English as the medium of instruction in schools and colleges and as the official language of the state.
The party will press for the inclusion of the Khasi language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution and promote its learning in the state. The manifesto also said that it would amend the Mines and Mineral Development Regulation Act 1957 to suit the local context of Meghalaya and resist the implementation of The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 in Meghalaya. The party would also review and reconsider the border dispute resolution between Meghalaya and Assam and seek Central Government intervention to resolve the border dispute over Block 1 and Block 2. Promising to provide m good governance, promoting transparency, accountability, efficiency, the VPP further assured upholding the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution and also uphold the “principle of secularism in letter and spirit, fostering an environment of multiculturalism, peaceful coexistence, and the protection of minorities across the country.” The party also said it would ensure that Central Educational Institutes cater to the needs of local people in terms of seats for learning, employment, and course of study and advocate for amendment of the National Education Policy 2020 to make it relevant to Meghalaya and the North Eastern region.
The manifesto also touched on development of the power sector, roads, agriculture, air connectivity, environment, sports, technology and address issues such as drug menace, issues of People with Disabilities and other issues affecting the state. However, the party opposed the establishment of railway lines especially in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills unless adequate safeguard measures are implemented to address concerns related to influx and other associated issues. While opposingUranium mining, the VPP said that it would amend the Mines and Mineral Development Regulation Act 1957 to suit the local context of Meghalaya and resist the implementation of The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 in Meghalaya. The party said that it’s committed to devising strategies to mitigate its effects in our state, considering its enforcement in other states.