SHILLONG: The National People’s Party (NPP) got a shot in its arm just ahead of Assembly polls after eight former MLAs including five from the Congress officially joined the party here on Thursday during a public rally organized by the NPP at Polo Ground here.
The eight former MLAs who resigned from the Assembly recently to join the NPP, included five from the ruling Congress, one from the United Democratic Party (UDP) and two Independents.
Those from the Congress who have shifted allegiance to the NPP on Thursday included former deputy chief minister, Rowell Lyngdoh(Mawkyrwat) and former cabinet Ministers Prestone Tynsong(Pynursula) and Comingone Ymbon(Raliang), Sniawbhalang Dhar(Nartiang) and Ngaitlang Dhar (Umroi).
The others are former UDP legislator Remington Pyngrope(Mawkynriew), and ex-Independent MLAS., Hopeful Bamon (Sutnga Saipung), and Stephanson Mukhim(Amlarem).
Speaking at the massive public rally held to induct the ex MLAs into the party, NPP National President, Conrad Sangma accused the Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma of destroying the dreams of forefathers of Meghalaya like BB Lyngdoh and Captain Williamson Sangma who were the tall and veteran Chief Ministers of Meghalaya.
“This is why many people have left Congress,” Sangma said stressing on the need to fulfill the dreams and ideas of the veteran leaders from the State.
Accusing the Chief Minister of going on an inauguration spree, Sangma said that one officer in Garo Hills was recently asked by Principal Secretary if there was anything which needed be inaugurated since the Chief Minister was looking to inaugurate each and everything.
Sangma also alleged that a Government Guest House in Garo Hills was being used a police station which was inaugurated recently while newly-launched Civil Sub Division offices are functioning from indoor stadiums.
Attacking the Chief Minister and Sports Minister for not attending the signing ceremony of the Host City Contract for the National Games 2022, Conrad alleged that both the Ministers were busy inaugurating projects in Garo Hills.
Sangma maintained that there is no education, youth and tourism policy even after 45 years of Statehood even as he sounded optimistic that change was coming to Meghalaya.
Joining the NPP fold, veteran politician, Rowell Lyngdoh said that Meghalaya expected a change and it would come only after voting out Congress led Government from the state.
Lyngdoh also felt that there was a need to relook at the various policies of the State Government especially for tribes and they would have to look at policies which are poorly implemented in the state.
“We need change because of dictatorial Chief Minister, who never listens to us,” Lyngdoh said.
Prestone Tynsong on coming to the ranks of the NPP said that they were being accused of being selfish politicians after their decision to left the Congress.
“We are selfish for the interest of the State and our blood, heart and soul are the for the people of the state,” Tynsong said
Slamming Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma, Tynsong said that out of 29 Chief Ministers in the country, Mukul Sangma is the only Chief Minister who is holding not less than 18 departments.
He also lambasted the Government saying Government is promising Rs 5000 to each beneficiary under Livestock Mission but why these Missions were not launched 4 and half years back.
“Take these schemes from them but vote for NPP,” he said while terming Mukul Sangma as the Chief Minister of Ampati.
He also alleged that Mukul Sangma-dictated developmental schemes went to only certain pockets of Garo Hills region and only few areas of Khasi Jaintia Hills region even as he alleged that Mukul Sangma was trying to divide the people of the state.
He also clarified that NPP was not a team B of BJP as he added that NPP has its own mission document, ideology and constitution.
Sniawbhalang Dhar while speaking at the meeting termed Mukul Sangma as the Chief Minister of Ampati while assuring that they would bring a shining future for Meghalaya.
“It was never in the history of Congress that so many MLAs left the party,” he said.
NPP MLA, James Sangma while speaking at the rally, rued that North Eastern people have been ignored for too long by the Central Government because people remained united and party would now fight not only for Meghalaya but for all tribes and religious minorities.
While urging upon everyone to work hard to form the new Government, Sangma said that NPP was not about an individual but about a team.
Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, Joykumar Yumnam asserted that Meghalaya can prosper if three major communities of the state – Garo, Khasi and Jaintia — works together.
Alleging that some political parties are trying to divide the three communities, Yumnam said that NPP is the only party which stood together for the entire region.
Earlier, the party also introduced many of its candidates who would contest the elections on a NPP ticket.
During the rally, NPP elections songs were also released besides many MDCs also joined the party.