NPP rejigs itself in Ranikor days after Danggo’s exit

MAWKYRWAT, Feb 2: Days after five-time MLA and former Assembly Speaker Martin M Danggo left the NPP to join the BJP, the NPP Ranikor Block was on Thursday reconstituted and the names of Kitborlang Nongrem and Nelbi T Sangma were recommended to the state election committee of the NPP to contest the Assembly elections from Ranikor.
It may be mentioned that despite the NPP announcing Danggo as the party candidate from Ranikor constituency, he jumped ship to the BJP just weeks ahead of the Assembly elections, taking everyone aback.
In the aftermath of the political turnabout, the NPP Ranikor Block was on Thursday reconstituted and Sangma was elected president of the NPP Ranikor Block, while other office-bearers were also elected.
The decision was taken during the general meeting convened by the NPP South West Khasi Hills unit at Rangthong village, about 20 km from Mawkyrwat.
The NPP leaders, during the meeting, said that they were betrayed by Danggo despite the party trusting him.
The names of South West Khasi Hills unit president Kitborlang Nongrem and NPP Ranikor Block president Nelbi T. Sangma were also recommended to the NPP state election committee.
It is pertinent to note that both Nongrem and Sangma had been Danggo’s close aides for the past many years.
Meanwhile, speaking to media persons after the meeting, both Nongrem and Sangma have assured of taking the party forward.