SHILLONG, FEB 25: Opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) president Ardent Basaiawmoit on Wednesday said his party is “not satisfied and not happy” with the expert committee’s recommendation to keep Meghalaya’s reservation policy at status quo, and intends to push for changes when it meets the government.
“We are not at all satisfied and we are not going to accept the recommendation in its original form,” Basaiawmoit told reporters after raising the issue in the Assembly. “What we were discussing is the recommendations… it is yet to be officially adopted. The very important question to the chief minister is whether he will take us into consideration before formally accepting it.”
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma earlier told the House that he is open to meeting legislators, an overture Basaiawmoit acknowledged.
“I am sure you must have heard that the chief minister is willing to discuss with us one on one… we will go by that first and we will also further explore ways and means how to ensure that what we want as a party… will be dealt with in a very serious manner.”
Basaiawmoit criticised the eight-month gap between the committee’s submission and the government’s response, saying the delay made the VPP “suspicious,” though he added the party does not want to “criticise too much.”
He framed the demand around Meghalaya’s identity and regional precedent and said, “The chief minister has admitted Meghalaya is a tribal state… almost all tribal states in the NE have more than 80% reservation… even the Supreme Court has said tribal states cannot be placed on the same footing as others. I still have hope if the state government takes a bold step.”
Stating that the VPP will not rush to set a deadline, he said, “As of now we do not see the need… we are going to meet the state government and discuss, and we hope the government will respond positively.”
At the same time, the party plans to “explore other ways and means” and consult the public.
“The people of the state have been the main stakeholder in this agitation… we shall have to go to the people, explain, and seek their opinion. It may go simultaneously,” he said.
On numbers, Basaiawmoit defended the VPP’s call for 47% reservation for Khasi-Jaintia saying, “We feel that if the government understands the pressure… on educated and qualified youth, that is a very reasonable ratio.”
 president Ardent Basaiawmoit on Wednesday said his party is “not satisfied and not happy” with the expert committee’s recommendation to keep Meghalaya’s reservation policy at status quo, and intends to push for changes when it meets the government.){kind=link}