Shillong, August 3: Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday urged the Voice of the People Party (VPP) to resolve its concerns through dialogue instead of organising a protest march to the State Secretariat on August 6.
Dhar said the government’s doors remain open to all political parties and elected representatives who wish to raise issues concerning the people. “There is no need for them to march. They can submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister, and we can sit together, discuss the issues and find a solution,” Dhar told reporters.
He said MLAs and MDCs had been elected to represent the concerns of the people directly before the government and should make use of that mandate. According to Dhar, leaders of the VPP could meet the Chief Minister even as a small delegation of three to five members and place their demands before the government. “If there are urgent issues, they have every right to meet the Chief Minister or the government. They are most welcome, and the doors are open to them at all times,” he said.
Questioning the need to mobilise the public over matters that could be discussed through official meetings, Dhar said elected representatives should first take up such issues directly with the government. “What is the purpose of electing us if people have to be called to march to the Secretariat even over minor issues? It is our duty as elected representatives to meet the government and discuss the concerns of our constituencies,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also claimed that most of the issues raised by the VPP were already being discussed and assured that the government remained committed to addressing them in the interest of the people.
