Shillong, Dec 2: National People’s Party (NPP) national president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday said the Congress is “already divided from within” and needs nobody’s help to split it.
“They may be sitting on the same table and talking, but internally, they have their own plans. We are in touch with many of them, to be very frank,” Sangma said responding to Congress Chief Vincent H Pala’s claims that One North East political form is a BJP ploy to divide anti-saffron forces in the region.
Terming the remarks “unfortunate”, Sangma said Pala’s statement could be his personal opinion.
Sangma reiterated that the aim of the One North East platform is to send a positive message of unity, not to create political divisions. “We are not here to fight against anybody or oppose anybody. We are here from a positive perspective to unify and send a message of unity for the region,” he said.
According to him, the Northeast can strengthen its political voice only when states and communities present a united front. “That is the only way we can ensure our message is heard and we are able to serve our people better,” he added.
On the lack of strong response from regional parties in Meghalaya, said “It’s okay. It doesn’t mean that everybody will come on board in one go. It’s a long journey,” he said. He stated that while some leaders have already joined the platform, it is natural that not everyone will support it in the beginning. “As they see the progress and the kind of focus that we work with, we are hopeful that more leaders and parties will join us in our endeavour to serve the people of the Northeast at large,” he added.
Sangma said that the NPP is neither discouraged nor deterred by early scepticism. “They have their right and opinion. But we are very clear in our thoughts, our ideas, our vision, and our goal to serve the people of our state and the region,” he said.
