SHILLONG: Former state executive member of BJP Ehkupar Nongrum has officially joined the National People’s Party (NPP) here on Tuesday.
NPP state president WR Kharlukhi announced the name of Nongrum as the party candidate to contest from Nongthymmai constituency in the 2018 Assembly polls.
Nongrum had contested the 2013 elections from a BJP ticket and secured around 3,000 votes.
Speaking at the function, Nongrum said he decided to leave BJP as he felt that he was sidelined from the party and that it was taking too long to take decisions.
On the other hand, Sohryngkham MDC Pyniaid Sing Syiem who was also present on the occasion said NPP was gaining stronger by the day in the state. He urged supporters in Nongthymmai to make NPP win from the constituency.
Meanwhile, Kharlukhi said the party is eyeing victory in the upcoming elections on their own as it had done exceptionally well in the last Lok Sabha elections in Garo Hills. The party has also been bolstered by the joining of several MLAs and MDCs.
Earlier, Kharlukhi handed the constitution of NPP to Nongrum.