By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The newly-formed Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) is willing to have a pre-poll alliance with UDP, HSPDP and other like-minded parties.
The NPP chief PA Sangma met UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh and HSPDP supremo Hoping Stone Lyngdoh on Tuesday night.
Sangma visited the residences of both the leaders to express his gratefulness for supporting him during the recent Presidential election.
During the course of discussion with two leaders, Sangma expressed his desire to have a pre-poll alliance with all like-minded parties especially with the non-Congress forces.
Confirming his meeting with Sangma, the UDP working president said, “It was a courtesy visit on the part of NPP chief.”
On Sangma’s pre-poll alliance proposal, Lyngdoh said, “I told him that the UDP leadership is also thinking on the same line. But I have also made it clear that he cannot make any commitment since he has to discuss this issue with the party leadership”.
Meanwhile, HSPDP chief HS Lyngdoh said he had discussed several important issues concerning the State with Sangma.
Referring to Sangma’s offer to have a pre-poll alliance with his party, the veteran politician said, “I have made it clear that if the party (NPP) agrees to the demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state, then I would agree to have a pre-poll alliance”.
Meanwhile, to popularize his party among the masses, the former Lok Sabha Speaker attended two public rallies in Ri Bhoi district on Wednesday.
Addressing a rally at Khanapara, he urged the public to extend support to NPP candidates in the Assembly elections due in February-March. Sangma later attended another meeting at Pilangkata.
The NPP chief was accompanied by his party’s candidate for Jirang constituency, S. Sohtun and other senior leaders.
