VPP gets EC recognition as state party

basis of a review of poll performance, the Commission vide its letter dated April 10, 2023, granted recognition to the Voice of the People Party as a state party in Meghalaya under the provisions of the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order, 1968.”

As requested, a reserved symbol of the winnower (a device used for separating chaff from the grain) was allotted, he added. He said a notification in this regard will be issued in due course.

SHILLONG, MAY 1 (PTI):

The Voice of the People Party (VPP), which has four MLAs in the Meghalaya Assembly, got recognition as a state party, a senior Election Commission of India (ECI) official said on Monday.

First GuwahatiDibrugarh ‘flybig flight’ launched

GUWAHATI, MAY 1

(PTI): The first flight on a non-UDAN route under viability gap funding provision by Assam government was launched on Monday with flybig starting service on the Guwahati-DibrugarhGuwahati sector.

The inaugural flight was flagged off by Assam Tourism Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport here. It will leave Guwahati in the morning and return from the eastern town of Dibrugarh on a daily basis.

Addressing a press conference after the flag off, Baruah said it is the first route on which flight service has been launched by Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) in the non-UDAN routes, with Assam government providing the viability gap funding.

“After this route, flybig will start operation on the Guwahati-Silchar-Guwahati route from May 15. We are also planning to start Guwahati-Jorhat-Guwahati route from later this year,” he added. Baruah said the routes with tourism potential are being targeted to be taken up as it will also boost the local economy. The ticket price for flights under the scheme has been capped at Rs 4,500 per ticket and the state government will pay the viability gap, he added. The ATDC, on behalf of the state government, had entered into a MoU with Big Charter Private Limited (flybig) in March for the launch of air services in the non-UDAAN section in the GuwahatiDibrugarh-Guwahati and Guwahati-Silchar-Guwahati routes on a daily basis.

The recognition was based on a review of the VPP’s poll performance in the recently concluded assembly elections, he said.

ECI Under Secretary Manish Kumar said, “I am directed to state that on the

VPP president Ardent Basaiawmoit welcomed the decision, saying, “We are happy with the ECI recognition and we will keep on working for the welfare of the people of the state.”

AIZAWL, MAY 1 (PTI):

The Mizoram Congress on Monday said it has accepted the resignation of senior MLA Zodintluanga Ralte as the treasurer of the party’s state unit.

Ralte, who is also the Congress Legislature Party leader, resigned as the state treasurer on April 21, saying he was dissatisfied with the functioning of state party president Lalsawta.

His resignation came ahead of the state assembly polls which are due later this year. Lalsawta told reporters here that Ralte’s resignation has been accepted by the state party authorities after he discussed the matter personally with him on Sunday.

“As per the advice of senior party leaders, Ralte and I discussed the matter face-to-face in a friendly atmosphere on Sunday evening. We decided that Ralte’s resignation will be accepted as per his wish to strengthen the Congress,” Lalsawta said.

He said that the party leadership would appoint a suitable person to replace Ralte as the party treasurer.

Lalsawta said that the resignation of Ralte ahead of the state assembly polls has shocked the party workers. Ralte, who was also present at the press conference, said that he resigned as the treasurer because he thought it was necessary for the betterment of the party.

The 60-year-old leader asserted that he would continue to remain in the Congress. In his resignation letter, Ralte alleged that Lalsawta had failed in collective leadership and took unilateral decisions on several major issues against the party’s constitution and principles. Ralte also accused the president of undermining several committees, which are the foundation of the Congress.

ITANAGAR, MAY 1

(PTI): The foundation day of Gujarat and Maharashtra was observed at Arunachal Pradesh Raj Bhavan here on Monday, which was graced by Governor Lt Gen K T Parnaik (Retd) and his wife Anagha Parnaik.

To foster and strengthen camaraderie among the people from different parts of the country, serving in the state, the governor has taken the initiative to celebrate their states foundation day at Raj Bhavan, here. Maharashtra and Gujarat were parts of the state of Bombay Province. On May 1, 1960, they became independent states of the country.

People from Gujarati and Marathi communities including, government officials, businessmen, people working in public sector units and members of armed forces along with their families attended the celebration, a Raj Bhavan communique said here. They shared their experiences, accomplishments and goodwill for the people of the state.

Parnaik greeted the Gujarati and Marathi communities on their state foundation and conveyed his good wishes to each and every member.

He said that the objective of the Statehood Day celebration of other states is to amalgamate the people from outside, with the local population and create a bond of camaraderie, and thus help to realise the vision of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.

The governor said that both Maharashtra and Gujarat have strong ties with Arunachal Pradesh.

Inter-state Living (SEIL) of Maharashtra in the 1950s, an exchange of students from north east tribal states and vice versa and Krishna-Rukmini cultural heritage of Gujarat has reinforced the traditional linkage of Arunachal Pradesh with Maharashtra and Gujarat, he said.

Sharing his experience of hav ing visited various states during his service days, the governor advised the people to learn local language, their traditional practices and appreciate their cultural heritage. He also asked them to keep themselves connected to their roots.

Appreciating the famed art and crafts of Gujarat and the cultu ral heritage of Maharashtra, Parnaik advised the Gujarati and Marathi communities to imbibe the good traditions of Arunachali society. He also urged the Gujarati and Marathi communities to contribute, in whatever position they are, in Arunachal Pradesh with sincerity and dedication. He said anything they do would ultimately contribute towards nation building, the communique added.