Prominent figure of traditional heads in the State, John F. Kharshiing has today joined the NPP.
He was welcomed into the party by NPP national president and State Chief Minister Conrad Sangma at the party office here.
Speaking at the function to induct Kharshiing, Sangma appreciated the role played by him to protect the rights and the age old traditions of the ethnic tribes of Meghalaya.
According to Sangma, the NPP and the objective of Kharshiing are a perfect match.
“Can we have a national outlook and yet have regional aspirations and focus and work on issues that matter to the North East,” Sangma said.
He also said that the NPP is a party that will protect the traditions, rights and customs of the people.
“We are here to protect and fight for the people of the region. We feel the North East requires a platform and NPP is going to provide and that is the reason why people like John Kharshiing and his friends are happy to join and work with the NPP,” Sangma added.
Sangma also said that his government has dared to take steps which a lot of (past) governments did not.
“This government has taken bold decisions which others did not have the guts to do at that point,” the chief minister said.
He added that his government is clear in its mind what it wants to achieve and how they are going to move forward.
It may be mentioned that Kharshiing was earlier with the UDP and had unsuccessfully contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections as its candidate.
He joined the Congress in 2012 but resigned from the party in April 2019.