Tura, Dec 19: The NPP was bolstered by the addition of the Betasing MDC, Sanjay Koch, who left the TMC to formally join the party along with more than 200 of his supporters in tow. Koch joined the NPP on Dec 15 in the presence of the Tura MP, Agatha Sangma, state working president and PHE minister, Marcuise N Marak, president of WGH, Dr JD Sangma, president of SWGH, Linekar Sangma and another MDC, SB Sangma.
The development comes, as per the party, as a major boost to the party in wake of the upcoming elections to parliament early next year.
Koch was elected to the GHADC on an Indian National Congress ticket before moving to the TMC following former CM Mukul Sangma’s move to break away from the INC. With the addition of Koch to NPP, the number of MDCs of the party (including the nominated member) has risen to 17 in the 30 member house.
“SWGH was once the stronghold of former CM, Mukul Sangma but is now fast crumbling like a block of sand with no hope of resurgence. The overall scenario in Garo Hills is a clear indicator that the upcoming MP election is in favour of the NPP winning with the biggest margin ever,” said Mathias Marak, the working president of WGH NPP.
Earlier former leader of the BJP, Bakul Hajong, who unsuccessfully contested on a BJP ticket also joined the NPP on Sep 16 to further strengthen the party’s chances.
IANS