In continuation of the tradition started by the late Purno Agitok Sangma, the National Peoples’ Party (NPP) today kicked off its poll campaign from Adokgre in North Garo Hills.
Adokgre has been nicknamed “Chenanggre”, or land of victory, and it was the starting ground for campaigning for Purno. In 2016, his son Conrad K Sangma, took over as national president of the party and has continued the tradition.
All bigwigs of the party, including state president and Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong, Rajya Sabha MP WR Kharlukhi, state working president Marcuise Marak and others dutifully assembled at Adokgre to kick off the poll campaign.
The party’s two candidates for the Meghalaya Lok Sabha seats – Ampareen Lyngdoh for Shillong and Agatha (Conrad’s sister) for Tura – were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Conrad said, “Be it MP, MLA or MDC elections, our father PA Sangma always began his campaign from Adokgre because he believed in victory and hence the name of Chenanggre. It used to start from a small rostrum in the field and today we stand before you from a stadium fulfilling our leader’s dreams.”
He said that Meghalaya in general, and Garo Hills in particular, has witnessed massive transformation in the last six years under his government. “Earlier, if roads were good then the belief was that the area belonged to Assam, while bad roads indicated Garo Hills. That is no longer the case,” he said.
Seeking votes in favour of Agatha, the NPP chief added, “Today the daughter of PA Sangma stands before you seeking your support. We cannot forget the late PA Sangma.”
Before Conrad became Chief Minister, he was the Tura MP. He took over the seat after his father’s demise in 2016 and won by a whopping 1.90 lakh margin. After becoming CM in 2018, he vacated the Lok Sabha seat, which his sister subsequently won twice. This time, he predicted an even bigger win. “I am confident we will have the biggest margin of victory in this election, which will be nothing short of 2.50 lakh or even a 3 lakh margin,” Conrad confidently announced.
