NPP gears up for pan-India role

SHILLONG: The NPP functionaries from different parts of the country, who reposed faith in the leadership of party chief and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, assured that they would be able to make NPP’s pan-India presence strong.
The commitment came during the party’s national executive committee meeting in Delhi on Saturday.
The party functionaries also pledged that they would unite the people and make a difference in their lives with its pro-people approach to governance.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NPP said besides preparing for the Lok Sabha polls, the party would put up candidates in the upcoming Assembly polls in Mizoram, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
The meeting has empowered the election committee of the party to plan out modalities to make its presence felt in all the three states, which may go to the polls in the next few months.
The party functionaries from all over the North East and those from Rajasthan, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra took part in the meeting chaired by Conrad.
In the meeting, leaders presented reports regarding the performance and current status of the party in their respective states.
Addressing the meeting, Conrad urged the party functionaries to focus on their strength and push the agenda of inclusive growth for the indigenous communities and minorities of the country as they work with a renewed vigour for the upcoming elections.
“NPP is a new party but in a short span of time, it has been able to make its presence felt across the North East and in Rajasthan. We have to capitalise on our strength and make attempt to raise the voice and concerns of the people and work for the welfare of indigenous people, minorities and vulnerable sections of the society,” he said.
While the meeting decided to contest in Mizoram, the party has not finalised the number of seats it would contest as NPP is in talks with regional forces for a possible merger.
The meeting also decided to field candidates from different constituencies across India for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and the election committee has been empowered to take a call on the matter, the NPP said in the statement.
Danggo, seven Arunachal legislators feted
Congress leader from Meghalaya Martin Danggo, who recently quit the party and resigned as MLA, was felicitated during the meeting.
Danggo will contest Ranikor by-poll on NPP ticket.
NPP leadership also felicitated seven MLAs from Arunachal Pradesh, who had recently joined the party.
“We are happy that regional parties are merging with us in our mission to champion the cause of North East under a single platform,” Conrad said while welcoming the MLAs to party fold and congratulating them.