Shillong, November 4: The National People’s Party (NPP) on Wednesday received a major political boost in Garo Hills after three Trinamool Congress (TMC) Members of District Council (MDCs) and a retired senior bureaucrat formally joined the party ahead of the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
Those who joined the NPP include GHADC Executive Members Alphonsush R. Marak from Williamnagar and Cherak Watre Momin from Kharkutta, BRDA Chairman Rakesh A. Sangma, and retired Meghalaya Civil Service (MCS) officer Pius D. Sangma. Pius D. Sangma previously served as Deputy Commissioner in-charge of West Khasi Hills and Director of Mineral Resources.
Chief Minister and NPP National President Conrad K. Sangma welcomed the new members into the party in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and NPP State President Prestone Tynsong and Deputy Chief Minister and NPP National Vice President Sniawbhalang Dhar.
Speaking to reporters on whether the three MDCs would be given party tickets in the upcoming GHADC elections, Conrad K. Sangma clarified that no conditions had been attached to their joining the NPP. He said decisions regarding party tickets would be taken collectively after assessing the prevailing political situation and the interests of the party. “The party will decide, we will all sit together. Right now there are no conditions that has been put, that so and so has to be given ticket or not or there are no conditions that so and so will stand and the other will not,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister maintained that the party leadership would consider all relevant factors before taking a unanimous decision. “We will see the outcome, we will see how situations, we will see as a party, what is in the best interest of the party and we believe that we’ll be making a decision that will be unanimous and that will carry our people together,” he said.
Sangma expressed confidence that the induction of the new leaders would further strengthen the NPP’s organisational base and political prospects in Garo Hills. He added that the combination of experienced leaders joining the party would contribute positively to its future electoral performance.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and NPP State President Prestone Tynsong described the preparation of electoral rolls for the newly proposed constituencies in Garo Hills as one of the party’s biggest achievements. “Electoral Roll of the newly proposed constituencies in the entire Garo Hills, so this is the biggest achievement I should say that the party has done for the interest of Garo Hills region, nobody else could do it, no other political party could do that,” Tynsong said. He urged party leaders and workers in Garo Hills to continue working together for the welfare and development of the region and the state.
Tynsong also expressed confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, stating that the NPP would continue strengthening its efforts to fulfil the aspirations of the people. “It’s because of that, so my dear friend especially our leaders in Garo Hills let us further work for the interest of our community, for the interest of the state,” he said. He further maintained that under Conrad K. Sangma’s leadership, the party would be able to strengthen its presence and address the aspirations of communities across Meghalaya.
Deputy Chief Minister and NPP National Vice President Sniawbhalang Dhar also welcomed the new members and expressed optimism about the party’s growing strength. Referring to the recent political developments in the state, Dhar remarked that the number three appeared to be proving lucky for the NPP. “In the last week we welcomed 3 MLAs from different political parties and today again received 3 MDCs, it seems 3 numbers is lucky for the NPP,” Dhar said.
He expressed confidence that the induction of the three MDCs would significantly improve the NPP’s prospects in the forthcoming GHADC elections. “With this we will perform very well in this coming MDC election in GHADC. Your coming to NPP is a blessing and from both regions that are Garo Hills and Khasi-Jaintia Hills, we are growing from day to day,” Dhar said. He further expressed hope that the NPP would emerge victorious in the upcoming Lok Sabha by-election and secure a majority in the 2028 Meghalaya Assembly elections.
The latest political development comes as the NPP continues to expand its organisational base across Meghalaya, with the induction of leaders from other political parties strengthening its presence in both Garo Hills and Khasi-Jaintia Hills.
The joining of the three MDCs and former bureaucrat is expected to bolster the party’s preparations for the upcoming GHADC elections, as the NPP seeks to consolidate its political position in the region.
