GUWAHATI: National People’s Party (NPP), an ally of the BJP in the Northeast, has of late witnessed a large number of leaders from other political parties especially from the ruling Congress joining its ranks in Meghalaya where Assembly elections are due early next year.
Sources in the NPP which was formed by Late Purno A Sangma and is now headed by his son Conrad K Sangma, MP, claim that several sitting MLAs cutting across party lines have indicated their inclination to join the NPP. The NPP leader Conrad has already announced that the party intends to field candidates in all the Assembly seats in the state even though the NPP is a known ally of the BJP and a key partner in the BJP-led government in Manipur.
Buoyed by the turn of events with so many leaders from different political parties flocking the NPP in poll-bound Meghalaya, the party leader Tura Lok Sabha MP Conrad Sangma reportedly stated in a public meeting in South West Garo hills that the NPP would emerge as the single largest party that would go on to form the next government in 2018. He claims that there was a strong wave for the NPP in Meghalaya given that political leaders from others parties have started considering the NPP an alternative to the ruling Congress.
Given the political equations and religious demography in Meghalaya where political leaders feel apprehensive of joining ranks of the BJP that is yet to strike deep root there, the NPP because of its proximity to the BJP has obviously provided an alternative option for them.
On the other hand, the BJP which is looking forward to strike understanding regional parties in its aspiration to walk the corridors of power in Meghalaya, unlikely to complain if politicos flock NPP which is party’s ally in New Delhi as well as in Manipur closer home.