SHILLONG, OCT 26: Former Shillong MP and Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Vincent H Pala on Monday claimed that the Voice of the People Party (VPP) was witnessing a decline in public support following its victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking about the party’s prospects in the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, Pala said the social media-driven wave that helped VPP in 2024 had weakened, with its support base reportedly shrinking in several key areas.
Asked whether VPP continued to enjoy the same wave as in 2024, Pala said the political atmosphere had changed since the last Lok Sabha election, when social media played a significant role in generating support for the party.
Citing his recent visits to different areas, Pala claimed that VPP’s support had declined considerably in Mylliem, Sohra and Pynursla, as well as across Jaintia Hills. He said Mylliem, which had earlier been a strong support base for the party, was now witnessing a significant change in public sentiment.
Pala predicted a triangular contest between the Congress, the National People’s Party (NPP) and VPP in the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election. However, he said voters were unlikely to make a final decision until the election was officially announced and candidates filed their nominations.
The Congress leader also attributed the alleged decline in VPP’s popularity to its functioning in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).
He questioned the party’s transparency and accountability, raising concerns over the installation of gates and the removal of several Syiems, which he claimed had taken place without proper justification. He also referred to legal proceedings in which, according to him, the affected parties had won their case.
Questioning VPP’s administrative capabilities, Pala said the party’s performance in the district councils raised doubts about its ability to govern at the state and national levels.
“People of Meghalaya are not fools, you can fool them once or twice but not thrice,” Pala said.