At least 17 defectors from other parties got NPP ticket to contest the upcoming Assembly elections in the State.
This made the NPP as the party with the largest number of turncoats who got tickets to contest the polls.
It may be mentioned that the ruling NPP last week released a list of 58 candidates for the elections.
The list includes eight MLAs from other parties who switched over to the party recently after resigning their membership in the Assembly.
The NPP list also has two former Trinamool Congress MLAs – Jimmy Sangma and Marthon J. Sangma who will be contesting from Tikrikilla and Mendipathar respectively.
Three former Congress MLAs were also given NPP tickets for the polls. They included Ampareen Lyngdoh (East Shillong), Mohendro Rapsang (West Shillong) and Kimfa Sidney Marbaniang (Rambrai Jyrngam).
PDF legislators Jason Sawkmie Mawlong from Umsning and Hamletson Dohling from Mylliem, who joined the NPP this month, have also been given tickets.
Another defector who got the NPP ticket is HSPDP MLA Samlin Malniang who is seeking reelection from Sohiong constituency.
Three sitting MDCs have also left their own parties and joined the NPP to contest the upcoming elections. They are Macdalyne S. Mawlong (Nongpoh), Grace Mary Kharpuri (Shella) and Stevie M. Marak (Ampati).
The others who defected from their parties to contest on NPP ticket include former Congress MLA Abu Taher Mondal (Phulbari), former Congress minister Nehlang Lyngdoh (Khliehriat), former Congress MLA Limison D. Sangma (Raksamgre), former BJP leader Rocky Hek (Pynthorumkhrah), former Congress leader Jasmine Lyngdoh (Nongthymmai) and former Congress ticket aspirant Kansing Lyngshiang (Mawkynrew).