SHILLONG, OCT 28: NPP national president and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said calling Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh new members would not do justice to the long friendship they share.
Welcoming the three former UDP legislators during their formal induction into the NPP in presence of deputy chief ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, party workers and supporters, Sangma said, “I welcome Paul, Renikton and Nujorki and I don’t want to call them new because we have a very old history. The word new is not doing justice to the kind of friendship and relationship we have had.”
He said Nujorki Sungoh, who is undergoing medical check-ups, will join formally in a few days.
Reminiscing about 2012, Sangma said, “I was sharing a photograph with Bah Renik from 24th August 2012 at our earlier party office in Lachumiere. I have about 15,000 old pictures and while going through them, I saw Bah Renik in the crowd. That was 14 years back, on the day the party was formed in our state. So calling Bah Renik a new member is not doing justice to him.”
“It is not just about the party getting stronger, I am feeling very light and happy today. I enjoyed working with these people, I like being around them. We think alike, we want to do things in a similar manner. It is a happy moment to be part of the same family with Paul, Renikton and Nujor,” he said.
“On behalf of the entire NPP family, I welcome you to our house and home and look forward to working together to serve the people of our state,” Sangma added.
Explaining the strength of the NPP, Sangma said, “What makes NPP different is the team. Principles are important, but it is teamwork that has made us what we are today. People think we have no differences but that’s not true. We do disagree, we fight, but we fight inside the room, not on the ground or in the press or in public. We agree to disagree and move on.”
“In governance also, sometimes Bah Prestone may not agree with me, sometimes Bah Sniawbha may not, sometimes I may not agree. But we ask one question — is it good for the people? If yes, we do it. That understanding, humility and low ego have made our organisation strong,” he said.
“Humility is important in life, politics and organization. If there is nobody to put up posters and flags for the party, I am ready to do it even as Chief Minister and national president. That is the spirit I want in every member. We should never think anything is too small,” he said.
On handling pressure, Sangma said, “We should never ask for pressure to go. We have chosen pressure as our life. There are times I get tired, when some major issue or pressure group is coming to give me a headache, I remind myself that I chose this and I cannot complain. We are sitting in the chair because we have to take that pressure, because we have to be woken up at 2 am for an emergency.”
“When you choose to work for the party, you are choosing to commit yourself to the service of the people. That should be your guiding principle and if that guides you, you will never make mistakes,” Sangma said.
By Our Reporter
