By Divesh Ranjan
Conrad Sangma was recently re-elected as the National President of the National People’s Party (NPP). Under his leadership, the party emerged as the single largest party in the 2023 Meghalaya assembly elections, securing 26 MLAs with approximately 5.84 lakh votes and a 31.5% vote share. Through alliances with the UDP, HSPDP, BJP, and independent candidates, NPP successfully formed the government. Further consolidating its power, the party absorbed two MLAs from the PDF, three defectors from the INC, and secured the Gambegre by-election, bringing its total tally to 32 MLAs—crossing the majority mark and strengthening its political stronghold.
Despite this strong presence in the Assembly, the party faces significant challenges that could threaten its stability and long-term prospects.
NPP’s Lok Sabha Setback: The Fall of a Stronghold
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections marked a major political setback for NPP as it lost its representation. The Tura Lok Sabha seat—long considered a stronghold of the Sangma family since 1977 (except for a brief period from 1989 to 1991)—was lost to the opposition. Former MP and NPP candidate Agatha K. Sangma faced an electoral upset, losing by approximately 1.55 lakh votes with a 23% vote margin. This loss serves as a wake-up call for NPP and underscores the need for serious introspection and course correction.
Poor performance in Khasi Hills and Jantia Hills Autonomous district council
The NPP’s weakening hold in the recent KHADC and JHADC elections is an alarming indicator of public dissent and eroding grassroots support. The party secured only four seats in KHADC and thirteen in JHADC, while the newly emerged VPP secured a decisive victory, and led KHADC. Notably, VPP’s rise can be attributed to the misgovernance of the NPP, reflecting growing dissatisfaction among voters.
Fragile Stability: The Hidden Risks of Political Assimilation in NPP
By assimilating leaders from the PDF, independents, and the INC, the NPP in Meghalaya has secured its majority, creating an appearance of stability. However, this stability is superficial and may lead to unforeseen repercussions if it is not managed effectively. The excessive absorption of defectors risks undermining internal cohesion. While it may project an image of growth and create the illusion of expansion, this expanding bubble could burst at any moment. Since these defectors are not nurtured within the party’s ideology and come from diverse political backgrounds, their presence could create internal friction. Over time, this accumulation of differing influences may accelerate polarization within the party, ultimately proving detrimental to the NPP.
Opportunities Amid Political Vacuum
The declining influence of the Indian National Congress (INC) across the Northeast has created a political vacuum provides an opportunity for the NPP to expand beyond Meghalaya and unify leaders from other northeastern states. As the only national party originating from the Northeast, NPP has the potential to become a major voice for the region at the national level. However, this would require a well-coordinated effort to consolidate leadership across states and address regional concerns more effectively, which is only possible under a visionary leader with greater unifying power.
Conrad Sangma’s Leadership: Ambitions vs. Ground Realities
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma aspires to be a pan-Northeast leader, but true leadership is built on governance, policies, and public trust. The Northeast has historically been dominated by alliances led by either the INC (UPA) or BJP (NDA), leaving regional parties in a secondary role. If regional parties had united under a single front, their collective influence could have garnered more national attention. However, this has yet to materialize.
For Sangma to establish himself as a transformative leader, he must first build Meghalaya into a model state by addressing fundamental challenges, including weak education and healthcare systems, poor road infrastructure, alleged corruption, severe city traffic congestion
Despite his political success, Conrad Sangma has struggled to match the legacy of his father, P.A. Sangma, the 11th Speaker of the Lok Sabha. While P.A. Sangma was a revered national figure, Conrad faces increasing criticism within his own state. His failure to secure electoral victories for his siblings further underscores the limitations of his political reach. Without demonstrable progress in governance, his broader ambitions may remain unfulfilled.
Governance Shortcomings and Opposition Challenges
Governance issues have further eroded public confidence in NPP’s leadership. Continuous allegations of corruption, lack of transparency, policy delays, and ministerial unaccountability, failure to control pressure groups, weakening economic growth and increasing discontent among citizens have dented the government’s image.
Although the NPP-led government holds a majority, it struggles to counter opposition narratives that highlight governance failures. Since the start of the NPP-led government, it has been mired in more controversies than recognized for its developmental achievements and good governance. Several lapses in governance and administration have given the opposition forces ammunition, fueling public dissatisfaction. The emergence of new political players signals deeper challenges that require urgent attention.
NPP’s Growth and National Limitations
Under Conrad Sangma’s leadership, NPP has expanded its influence across four northeastern states and currently holds government positions in three. The party’s current political standing includes: 53% of seats in Meghalaya, 12% in Manipur, 8% each in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. However, despite these gains, as the lone national party from the Northeast, the NPP has only one Rajya Sabha representative and no presence in the Lok Sabha. This underscores its limited reach at the national level. To achieve long-term political relevance, NPP must focus on building a sustainable governance model in Meghalaya before seeking broader national influence.
Meghalaya’s electorate once had high expectations from Conrad Sangma, but increasing criticism and governance failures suggest a diminishing faith in his leadership. If NPP does not take decisive steps to address public grievances and implement meaningful reforms, it risks further decline. The party’s current majority may offer a false sense of security, while opposition forces remain strategically silent, preparing for future challenges. Without proactive course correction, NPP’s dominance may prove temporary.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for NPP
The National People’s Party stands at a crossroads. While its rise has been impressive, its sustainability is uncertain. To secure its future, the NPP must address governance failures with transparency and accountability, strengthen internal cohesion and expand its influence across the Northeast. Additionally, it should rebuild its national presence by regaining ground in the Lok Sabha and increasing Rajya Sabha representation.
For Conrad Sangma, the challenge is not just about expanding NPP’s footprint but proving that he can lead a model state in Meghalaya. Only by delivering good governance can he uphold his legacy and emerge as a true leader of the Northeast. The coming years will determine whether the NPP can transform itself into a lasting political force or whether it will fade into the background like many regional parties before it.