Mizoram polls: Conrad sees NPP key role in case of hung assembly

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who reached Aizawl on Tuesday for election campaign, said the NPP with its few members will play a vital role in forming the government in Mizoram in case of a hung assembly after the poll results.
“NPP has been working tirelessly in different parts of the region to champion the cause of the people as envisioned by our founder late PA Sangma. The people of Mizoram have accepted the party and we are seeing good response. We are confident that given the trend NPP will play a formidable role as we expect a hung assembly in the state,” Sangma said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The NPP national president will address rallies Vairengte, Kolasib, Kawnpui and Serchhip in the next three days. NPP is contesting in nine constituencies.
Sangma said that the party has fielded candidates in those constituencies, where the response and chance of winning was very high. “We are a new party and we want to make an impact in a positive way. We are optimistic that the results in most constituencies will be in our favour. We are focusing on few seats which is part of our strategy,” he added.
Serchhip is Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla’s constituency and NPP has fielded a greenhorn from the constituency.
“We have our own identity and ideology as a political party. In the past elections also we had no alliance with any political party. We believe in propagating the message of our party to the people Mizoram. Post election we will look at the interest of the State and partner with a party that believes in taking Mizoram forward,” he added.
Sangma believes that through this election, NPP will strengthen its base in Mizoram. “This is our beginning in Mizoram and we will continue to work for the people of Mizoram and for the Northeast with a common goal and agenda to push the agenda of growth and development.”
Meghalaya Home Minister and National Spokesperson James K. Sangma campaigned for party candidate B. Suanzalang at Champhai North constituency on Tuesday.
AICC chief Rahul Gandhi was also in Champhai on Tuesday. Gandhi’s main target was BJP and North East Democratic Alliance partner Mizo National Front, the state’s principal opposition party.
“RSS and BJP understand that this is the only opportunity for them to enter Mizoram and destroy its culture. They know that they are unlikely to win the next (Lok Sabha) elections,” Gandhi said at the Champhai rally. (With inputs from PTI)