SHILLONG, JAN 4: The opposition National People’s Party (NPP) today officially welcomed eight former legislators including five from the ruling Congress to its fold even as it vowed to bring a change in the upcoming state Assembly polls.
“We want change and the NPP is the party which can bring it,” NPP national president and Tura Lok Sabha MP Conrad K Sangma said while addressing at a party’s rally entitled ‘Mission 2018, NPP for new Meghalaya’ at Polo ground here.
Those from the Congress are former Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh and former cabinet ministers Prestone Tynsong, Coming One Ymbon, Sniawbhalang Dhar and Umroi former MLA Ngaitlang Dhar.
The others are former United Democratic Party legislator Remington Pyngrope, and Independents Hopeful Bamon and Stephanson Mukhim.
Besides, seven sitting MDCs which include six from the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and one from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council also joined the NPP during the rally attended by thousands of supporters.
Stating that the journey is very tough, Conrad said, “What Mukul did to the state it is not easy to change but I am confident in the team and we are up to the challenge, we will make the change that is required.”
Claiming that the party would be in power after the 2018 elections, the NPP national president also expressed confidence that the party will also have a chief minister in Meghalaya.
“I know we can and we will but it all depend on each one of us,” he said.
Lambasting at the ruling Congress-led state government, Conrad also accused the chief minister Mukul Sangma of destroying the dreams of the state’s forefathers.
According to him, former leaders of the state like Captain Williamson A Sangma and BB Lyngdoh had a dream for the state.
“But I am upset and sad at what happened in the last few years in the state. The way the chief minister is working it has destroyed the dreams of our forefathers. Therefore the Congress MLAs are leaving the party,” he said.
Also blaming the chief minister for the state of affairs in the state, Conrad alleged that the chief minister was busy asking government officials to find something to inaugurate ahead of the elections to fool the people of the state.
“A police station was recently inaugurated in Garo Hills and a government guest house was used as there was no building. In some places they (Congress) open up a civil sub-division but it was functioning from some indoor stadium,” he said.
Stating that this was the state of affairs in the state under the present leadership, the Tura Lok Sabha MP also slammed the chief minister and the sport affairs minister for skipping the signing of the Host City Contract for 39th National Games in the state.
“They (Mukul and Zenith) should have been there (signing of the contract) but they are somewhere else laying foundation stones. They are not bothered for the youths and the sports future,” he added.
Referring to yesterday’s inclement weather, Conrad said, “Why it was rains yesterday so that whatever wrongs Mukul did will be washed away. But today is a new beginning as change is coming your way.”
Later while speaking to media persons, the NPP national president said with the entry of the eight former legislators, the NPP is going to be the alternative in the state of Meghalaya.
“We will be the single largest party and we are working hard towards trying to get absolute majority. We are confident that the people will give us the opportunity,” he said.
The NPP has so far announced 51 candidates (including the eight former legislators) who will be contesting from the Assembly seats in the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo Hills region in the upcoming state elections.
Asked, Conrad said the party aspires to put up candidates in all the 60 seats but it will all depend on the political situation adding the party is also looking at candidates who can give a good fight.
On the chief ministerial candidate, the NPP national president however said that the matter will be decided by the MLAs after the elections.
“We are very clear from day one that this will be decided by the MLAs as it is not a decision that I as a president or any individual will make. We are a democratic party and we allow MLAs to decide on who should lead them,” he said.
Admitting that the Ampati is a crucial seat for the NPP, Conrad hinted that the party is coming up with a strategy to oust the chief minister Mukul Sangma in the upcoming election.
“It is something we are discussing and we will see when the time comes and we will tell you what is happening out there,” he said.
By Our Reproter
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