By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 13: Bureaucrat-turned politician HM Shangpliang officially joined the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) in the midst of the party bigwigs at a function here on Wednesday.
This is the fourth time that Shangpliang has jumped ship from one political party to another.
Shangpliang entered the state politics with the grand-old party, Congress, which gave him his first electoral win from Mawsynram Constituency in 2018 elections.
Before Assembly polls in 2023, Shangpliang along with other Congress MLAs joined the West Bengal-based TMC.
However, just before elections, he left the TMC and joined BJP.
Going to polls with BJP did not usher in success for the sitting MLA of Mawsynram, who lost his bastion.
Only recently, he decided to quit the saffron party, which resulted in a spate of mudslinging between the politician and the BJP.
Speaking at a programme to welcome him in the party, Shangpliang heaped praise on the NPP and its supremo Conrad Sangma, stating that Meghalaya is emerging as one of the leading states under the leadership of Sangma.
He added that he is impressed with the NPP’s emphasis on the development of the state besides the impetus given to farmers’ welfare and the effort to support them.
He also lauded the persistence of the government to continue to engage with the Centre on inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages and implementation of ILP.
“I am committed to serve party with honesty and sincerity,” he said.
In a veiled attack on the BJP, Shangpliang said that around 3,000 members have resigned from BJP and joined the NPP including him.
The programme was also attended by veteran politician DD Lapang and other senior leaders of the party.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who is the national president of the NPP, said he wants to nurture an environment resembling a family within the party.
“When we talk about family and party, we don’t leave anyone behind and those who have worked for state and the party, it’s the party’s responsibility to take care (of them) and be inclusive,” Sangma said.
He emphasised that the hunger for growth is essential for a party.
He also directed the party’s state president, WR Kharlukhi, to promptly start reorganising different units, blocks and frontal organisations in view of the Lok Sabha polls.
Stating that the party is doing its homework for the polls, Conrad added that the continuation of policy is critical for the development of the state as targets are often changed when government is changed and that is how things are not fructified.
