The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Monday announced its first list of 14 candidates for the upcoming 2023 elections.
VPP president and former Nongkrem legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit was among the candidates approved by the State Election Committee (SEC).
The others include: Damewanhii L Rymbai (Khliehriat), Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon (Umsning), Heavingstone Kharpran (Mawryngkneng), Brightstarwell Marbaniang (Mawlai), Avner Pariat (East Shillong), Raja Jyrwa (West Shillong), Danny Langstieh (South Shillong), Winston Tony Lyngdoh (Nongthymmai), Doristar Marbaniang (Mawphlang), Manbhalang Thabah (Pynursla), Shanlang Warjri (Mairang), Aibandaplin F Lyngdoh (Mylliem) and Overlin Imiong (Ranikor).
Addressing media persons, chairman of the SEC Dr Kara H Shen said that the party is yet to decide on whether to contest from all the 36 seats in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
“We may field candidates from Garo Hills region but we cannot say as of now. However, we will declare the second and third lists of candidates very soon,” he said while informing that the party will release its manifesto once the elections are announced by the Election Commission of India.
He said that majority of the candidates are first timers and tickets have been allotted after taking their background and educational qualification into consideration. “I agree that winnability is important and we are fielding only new faces to give options to the people since they are fed up with the present leaders. Therefore, we leave it to the wisdom of the people,” he said.
Dr Kara further maintained that the VPP stands for clean politics. “We have decided whether we win or lose. We will stick to our stand that money should not play an important role while fighting the elections. We have gone to the people and made them understand about the principles and ideologies of the party so now we leave it to their wisdom.”
VPP spokesperson Dr Batskhem Myrboh has expressed confidence that the party will win from all the seats that it is contesting in the 2023 polls.
When asked how will the party beats money power, Dr Batskhem said, “The philosophy and ideology of the VPP is to bring a change through clean politics in order to bring good governance as the ultimate goal of the party while participating in politics is not only to win election but election is just a means but the ultimate aim is to bring good governance and development.
If we win elections but fail to ensure governance then the victory would sure be a curse to the people of the state.”