In a blow to the Congress in the state, two sitting and one former Members of District Council (MDCs) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council joined the National People’s Party (NPP).
The two sitting MDCs are – Batskhem Ryntathiang (Mairang-Nongkhlaw) and Carness Sohshang (Mawkyrwat) and ex-MDC Donovan Kharwanlang (Sohra).
It may be mentioned that the Congress is in alliance with the NPP in the KHADC and with the joining of the two sitting MDCs their number has been reduced to four consisting of – Ronnie V Lyngdoh (Mylliem), PN Syiem (Mawkhar- Pynthorumkhrah), Gabriel Wahlang (Nongstoin) and Balajied Ranee (Nongpoh).
The induction ceremony of the trio was witnessed by national president of the NPP and Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, state president and deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong, general secretary and deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Lok Sabha candidate and Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Power Minister AT Mondal and Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs minister Comingone Ymbon party workers and supporters.
Speaking at the induction ceremony, Sangma said that he never expected the NPP to be where it is now.
The national president congratulated all the office bearers of the party for bringing the NPP to the level it is now.
He also said that the quality and capability of the people in the NPP is far ahead of other political parties in the state.
“That is really what the strength of the party is,” Sangma said.
The NPP national president also cautioned the party workers from complacency even as he added that no election is easy.
“You have to work very hard. You will have to realise how you will be able to mobilise,” he added.
Sangma said that the party polled around 3.18 lakh votes in Khasi-Jaintia Hills in the 2023 Assembly polls.
“But the question is how we mobilise to ensure that we get those votes back. Therefore you have to work meticulously at every booth level,” the NPP national president said.
NPP state president, Tynsong while speaking at the function took a dig at certain political parties for their stance against the use of Hindi language.
“We are a party which encourages the youths to learn many languages and not only Khasi. You should learn various languages. I want our children to speak Hindi and other languages too,” he said.
According to him, some political parties would even object if one spoke in Garo.
He also said that parents should encourage their children to learn as many languages as possible which according to him would be for their own good in the long run.
He also pointed out to the fact that it is a matter of pride that Late Archbishop Rev. Dominic Jala and Late Rev SD Lakiang knew more than 12 languages.
On the criticism against the NPP in social media, Tynsong said that the party stands for the unity of the minorities of the country.
“Not only in Meghalaya or northeast the NPP has the agenda of bringing unity among all the minorities in the country,” the NPP state president said.
He said that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi respects the NPP.
NPP general secretary Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the calculator of politics is different from the one used in calculating.
“The calculator of politicians is very different. A politician’s calculator is two plus two makes five and not four,” Dhar said.
He also said that even as the NPP is abused in social media, it welcomes people into the party fold every day.
“We hear that every day some politician would leave a party and we would welcome an individual every day. This shows that our party is accepted in every corner of our state,” he said.
Dhar also said that the next objective of the NPP would be to ensure that their MP candidate Ampareen Lyngdoh wins the Lok Sabha polls.
He urged the party workers to work hard so that Lyngdoh wins the Shillong parliamentary seat.
Meanwhile, MP candidate Lyngdoh said that the party will have roots in every part of Meghalaya even as she cautioned the people not to be misled.
She also hoped that the NPP will bring in good governance which is free of corruption.
