Media predictions have turned right. Former Mawsynram legislator, Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang, who resigned from the BJP on September 6, will join the NPP.
Speaking to media persons here today, Shangpliang confirmed that he would join the NPP on September 13 at 2 pm at the party office here.
“I’m joining the NPP without any conditions,” he said.
“I believe that the NPP is the only party in the State that might be able to give the people of the State a sense of security and the future of Meghalaya,” he added.
Shangpliang also praised Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and said that under Sangma, the State has seen lots of development.
“He has significantly brought changes to the State throughout his last five years as Chief Minister,” he said.
On media questions if he would seek NPP ticket to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Shillong seat, Shangpliang said, “Once I joins the NPP I will be a member of the party and whatever the high command of the party finds me fit for any responsibilities, I am ready to shoulder them.”
According to sources, Shangpliang had already made his intention to join the NPP during his recent talks with NPP leaders including Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on the matter.
It may be mentioned that Shangpliang had been appointed as Adviser to the Education Department with perks and facilities equivalent to an MLA.
It is yet to be confirmed if his move to join the NPP is related to his desire to contest the Lok Sabha election in 2024 from Shillong seat.
With the former IAS officer joining the NPP, it would be the fourth time that he switched his political allegiance in a span of six years.
In October 2017, he joined the Congress and successfully contested the Assembly election from Mawsynram.
In November 2021, Shangpliang along with eleven other Congress MLAs led by Dr. Mukul Sangma left the party and joined the Trinamool Congress.
In December 2022, he quit the Trinamool Congress and joined the BJP in order to contest the 2023 Assembly elections from Mawsynram. However, he lost the poll.
