GUWAHATI: Strengthened by the joining of prominent BJP leaders, the Conrad Sangma-led National People’s Party is banking on the “winnability” factor as it eyes a contest on its own terms in the Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh, to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls next month.
Several BJP members, including two ministers, six sitting MLAs, state BJP general secretary, Jarpom Gamlin, and two former legislators, joined NPP, an ally of the saffron party in the Northeast, in Itanagar on Tuesday, reportedly after not getting tickets to contest the polls from the party high command.
“This (joining of BJP leaders en masse) definitely augurs well for NPP as they are all strong candidates. In fact, we were always looking at candidates capable of winning and keeping this in mind the party is eyeing a contest in about 45 seats on its own,” NPP state spokesperson Mutchu Mithi told The Shillong Times on Wednesday.
Showing confidence in forming the next government in Arunachal, Mithi said that while many BJP leaders appear to have been left out by the party, there were other issues affecting the party.
“Loyalty issues are apparently plaguing the ruling party (BJP). Then again, there is infighting and groupism. On the other hand, NPP already has sitting MLAs in the state. So we think we are vying for and poised to form the next government,”
Mithi said the party would be contesting the Assembly elections alone even as it was open for any possibility after the polls. “Post polls, we have to look at the mandate of the people and thereafter talk with like-minded parties and take a call,” he said.
Asked how many seats NPP would be contesting in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh House, he said the party would be coming out with the first list of 25 to 30 candidates on Wednesday evening. “Subsequently, around 15 more candidates would be named in the second list,” he added.
