VPP secular, not in favor of any particular religion: spokesperson

The Voice of the People Party (VPP) is staunchly secular and does not favor one religion over another, says party spokesman Batskhem Myrboh.

Yesterday, the party expelled one of its former MLA candidates, Avner Pariat, from the party. He in turn had said that he intended to leave the VPP anyway, because the party had taken a turn that he could not in good conscience support.

Pariat is said to have made comments on social media in favor of another component, which the VPP criticized. In response, Pariat said the VPP has shifted toward religious fanaticism, which he finds disturbing. “The promise of progress that once inspired me to join this party has been replaced by a regressive agenda that I can no longer in good conscience support,” he had said in a draft resignation letter.

Myrboh today expressed his sadness and disappointment over Pariat’s accusations and stated that he should have known the party’s ideology better.

The VPP believes in secularism, Myrboh claimed, and does not invoke religious principles or perform prayers of any particular religion during party meetings.

He emphasized that Pariat’s accusation is a complete misinterpretation of the party and that the VPP stands for clean politics, good governance and fundamental rights of all Indian citizens, with special emphasis on the rights of indigenous or tribal people.

He further explained that the VPP’s ideology of secularism means that all religions are equally important, including those who do not believe in any religion.