NPP’s next target is district council polls

SHILLONG: Buoyed by the victory of NPP in the Assembly elections, the party will now prepare for the district council polls to be held in 2019.
From just two seats in 2013, the party secured as many as 19 seats in 2018.
While the party has 11 legislators from Garo Hills, the number of legislators from Khasi Hills region is eight.
NPP state president WR Kharlukhi said on Thursday that after shedding its ‘Garo party’ tag, the NPP can now concentrate on contesting in KHADC, JHADC and GHADC polls.
There were remarks in the past that NPP or NCP was a Garo party since PA Sangma was leading it in Meghalaya.
However, the Garo party tag is no longer applicable as the party was accepted in Khasi Hills, he said. He also said that the criticism that NPP is the tail of BJP has no relevance as NPP is leading the government and with the victory of the party, people have given a fitting reply to the critics.
Ampati seat
Kharlukhi said the party will meet soon to discuss whether NPP should contest the Ampati seat.
NPP did not put up any candidate in Ampati in the just concluded Assembly polls.
Former chief minister Mukul Sangma, who contested and won two seats, relinquished the Ampati seat to pave way for the entry of his daughter.
Sources said NPP may support the BJP candidate in Ampati.
No change in Williamnagar
In Williamnagar, there will not be any change in the party candidate.
Marcuise Marak is NPP candidate for Williamnagar. The election was deferred after NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma was killed by militants before the polls.