People of Jaintia Hills will give “Red Card” to VPP in 2028: Dhar

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 17, 2025

National People’s Party (NPP) national general secretary and deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Friday said the people of Jaintia Hills will give a “Red Card” to the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) in the 2028 Assembly polls.

“Do you know why they (VPP) frequently go to Jaintia Hills? It is because they are scared of the Jaintias because we have given them a “Yellow Card” in the last MDC elections and we will also give them a “Red Card” in 2028,” Dhar told reporters.

“They almost got a Yellow Card in Khasi Hills too. They won from all 29 seats in the MP elections but only 17 seats (in the KHADC polls). So, it is like getting a Yellow Card. Due to this, they are having sleepless nights and are busy in aimless talk,” he added.

His statement came a day after the VPP president Ardent M Basaiawmoit threatened to move the Election Commission of India (ECI) to keep a close watch on Jaintia Hills ahead of 2028 Assembly polls while addressing a public meeting at Jowai in West Jaintia Hills District.

The VPP in its recent letter to the chief secretary had demanded independent inquiry into the alleged failure of the government to conduct free and fair elections to the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).

The VPP had won only 8 seats in the JHADC polls while 17 in KHADC polls during the elections held in February earlier this year.

Dhar however asked the VPP to respect the mandate given by the people of Jaintia Hills and stop trying to school the ECI on how to conduct elections.

“By winning (the JHADC polls), it doesn’t mean that the NPP is abusing its power and it also doesn’t mean that the VPP is winning (KHADC polls) because they are abusing their power. What is important is that we should respect the mandate of the people. To say we will approach the ECI, I feel you (VPP) don’t need to educate the ECI on what it should do and what it should not do,” he said.

VPP to urge ECI to keep close watch on Jaintia Hills ahead of 2028 Assembly polls

Further, the NPP leader termed the action of the VPP as a desperate move out of fear and insecurities.

“When people are too afraid, they are desperate and start talking aimlessly but I have never come across political parties complaining after elections alleging it is not free and fair because we always respect the mandate given by the people. Our people know their rights while voting and our officers too are well versed with the rules on how to conduct the elections,” he stated.

On Basaiawmoit’s allegation that the ruling party is influencing the traditional dorbars in Jaintia Hills, Dhar said, “For any party, who is in power, there is a procedure to rule the government. You cannot do whatever you want as there is a law that guides you on how to run the government.”