By Divesh Ranjan
The National People’s Party has experienced a rapid political rise in a short time. It became the first political party from the Northeast to gain national party status. The party has grown its presence in the legislative assemblies of Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. Its political height was during the 2023 Meghalaya Assembly elections, when it became the largest political force with 26 MLAs. Its strength later grew to 33 due to defections and mergers. The electoral mandate was also significant, as the party’s vote share in Meghalaya jumped from 20.6 percent in 2018 to about 31.4 percent in 2023.
However, politics is influenced by both perception and performance, and the political mood has changed quickly since then. For the NPP, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were a major setback. The party could not retain the Shillong and Tura seats and saw its vote share drop to nearly 24.5 percent. This downward trend continued in the Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council elections, where the party’s results fell below expectations. These repeated electoral losses show a clear and growing anti-incumbency sentiment that the party can no longer overlook.
Over time, a noticeable gap has emerged between governance claims and public perception. While the government keeps highlighting welfare schemes and development initiatives, dissatisfaction at the grassroots level has steadily risen. This disconnect, if left unaddressed, may lead to long-term political decline. Opposition forces quickly take advantage of this gap by voicing popular grievances and presenting themselves as more in tune with public sentiment. This contradiction raises an important question. Why is a party that claims to provide people-centered governance steadily losing public trust? Several factors contribute to this disconnect, but three stand out as particularly pressing.
Governance without ground connection : One major reason for this discomfort is the governance style. The NPP government has focused on administrative efficiency, transparency, and procedural fairness, mainly relying on the bureaucracy to implement schemes. While this has reduced claims of favoritism, it has made governance seem distant. Elected representatives should act as a bridge between the state and the people. When ministers and MLAs are not visibly involved in delivering or explaining policies, citizens often feel disconnected, and party workers feel overlooked. Effective governance needs balance. Bureaucracy and political leadership must work together.
The risk of becoming a one-man party : Another aspect shaping public perception is the concentration of leadership. Conrad Sangma is the most visible face of the party, dominating public communication and outreach. Besides him and the two Deputy Chief Ministers, few leaders enjoy consistent visibility. Even flagship initiatives like CM Connect highlight this issue. While the Chief Minister is consistently present, other ministers and most MLAs remain largely absent in the public eye, often limited to ceremonial attendance at events. Media platforms tend to focus heavily on the Chief Minister’s image and messaging.
Strong leadership is essential, but sustainable politics needs a broader leadership ecosystem. When other ministers and legislators are mostly out of view, questions arise about internal balance and shared responsibility. Political history shows that parties built around a single dominant figure tend to become fragile over time. Lasting leadership is not about centralizing power but about allowing others to grow. In Meghalaya’s politically shifting environment, where defections are common, reluctance to showcase second-line leaders is understandable. Yet insecurity cannot replace strategy. Political experiences elsewhere show that empowering leaders, even during tough times, can strengthen the organization. The NPP would benefit from learning from such examples.
Growing perception of regional imbalance : Another challenge facing the NPP is its increasing image as a Garo Hills-centric party. Although the party rejects this label, the concentration of significant positions has created visibility issues, particularly outside the Garo Hills. Currently, most major political and constitutional posts are held by leaders from the Garo Hills. Key positions, including the Chief Minister, Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, and a Member of Parliament, are all occupied by leaders from this single region. Representation from the Khasi and Jaintia Hills at the national level is limited, especially with Dr. Wanweiroy Kharlukhi’s Rajya Sabha term coming to an end.
Speculation about another Rajya Sabha nomination from the Garo Hills has further strengthened this narrative. Even if such a decision seems politically convenient, it could prove strategically harmful. At a time when the Voice of the People Party has successfully promoted strong Khasi leadership at the national level through its Lok Sabha representation, the lack of a similar counter-voice from within the NPP could reinforce perceptions of imbalance. The party urgently needs a credible, articulate, and vocal Khasi leader at the national level to address political attacks and reassure voters. Leadership decisions should reflect political realities and public perception, not just internal comfort.
A moment for introspection : Conrad K Sangma has undoubtedly played a central role in the NPP’s political growth. He is regarded as one of the more insightful and politically adaptable leaders in Meghalaya. His ability to keep the party united, adjust to changing situations, and focus on issues that resonate with everyday citizens has been crucial to the party’s success.
Yet success often brings the risk of complacency. As power concentrates, leadership becomes surrounded by affirming voices, limiting direct engagement with grassroots realities. This gap allows opposition forces to channel public dissatisfaction more effectively.
The anti-incumbency facing the NPP today is not superficial. It is emotional, layered, and deeply rooted in perception. The 2028 Assembly election will not be won through cosmetic changes or empty promises. Addressing the current mood requires genuine introspection, decentralization of leadership, regional balance, and renewed public engagement. If the NPP aims to maintain power in Meghalaya and expand meaningfully across the Northeast, it must consciously address these disconnected dots. Inclusive leadership, balanced representation, empowered public representatives, and stronger emotional connections with citizens are no longer optional. They are political necessities.
(The author is Political Researcher and Columnist at The Shillong Times [email protected])
