SHILLONG:
The Election Commission of India on
Friday granted recognition to NPP as a national party.
This was informed by the Secretary of the Commission, Pramod
Kumar Sharma in a notification issued on Friday
Now, NPP is the eighth party in India to be listed as
“National Party” by the Election Commission of India. It is also the first
political party from northeast to be accorded the status
The notification stated that the party was already state- recognised
in Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland and after being recognised in Arunachal
Pradesh, the party has fulfilled eligibility conditions for being recognised as
national party.
As per the request of the parry, the symbol book has been
allotted as the reserved symbol for the party.
Meanwhile, soon after the announcement, Chief Minister and
party national president, Conrad Sangma took to Twitter to expressed his
happiness about the recognition.
In the Tweet, Sangma said that “ The recognition of NPP as
National Party status will surely motivate each member of the family of NPP and
will further enable us to work for the greater cause of the region and its
people.”
He also said that it was a very nostalgic moment for all of
them that the party founded by Late Purno Agitok Sangma has achieved its due
recognition.
“It is not just an achievement for NPP but for the
people of Northeast for their overwhelming support and thrust bestowed on the
party,” he said.
Meanwhile, the national general secretary of the party, Thomas
Sangma who handed over letter of recognition of NPP as National Party to Conrad
Sangma stated that the credit of the feat goes to Conrad Sangma.
Terming
it as a proud moment, he said that the NPP was the first regional party from
the North East which has been recognised as a national party.
Stating
that the party would now expand its activities throughout the country, he added
that after the demise of veteran leader, Purno Sangma, some quarters had raised
doubts about the future of the party but they have proved them wrong and the
party has been revived.
When asked if the ideology of the party which is tribal
centric would change after being recognised as a nation party, he said
that the party would have a national outlook and it’s ideology would now be
broadened up
