Our Bureau
TURA/SHILLONG, Dec 14: Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Sunday rubbished claims of him joining political rivals, NPP, and called the reports wishful thinking by certain sections.
The counter comes in the wake of reports that the former CM was in New Delhi on Saturday, coinciding with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong’s trip to the national capital.
“This is absurd (on the claims) as I have been in my constituency (Songsak) meeting up with residents and working on strengthening the party at the grassroots yesterday (Saturday). The place I stay in Songsak (Agalgre) has poor network reception so I have not been able to communicate with the outside world but rest assured, I am not joining the NPP,” asserted Mukul.
On Sunday, Sangma was involved in a number of pre-Christmas events which included visits to various churches in the area. He was headed back to Tura from Songsak during the conversation.
Regarding recent photos of him, Conrad and Prestone surfacing online which led to speculations of his move to the NPP, Mukul stated that as comrades and as the LOP, such meetings were common and did not in any way indicative of any political move.
“We are colleagues but from different planes of thought. The NPP itself faces a dire future with there being many who are unhappy with the leadership. They should look into their own people instead of spreading these kinds of false narratives,” said Mukul.
The TMC leader stated that they were working on strengthening their own party for the upcoming GHADC elections and did not have time for other needless things.
NPP denies speculation
The NPP state leadership also categorically denied speculation suggesting that Mukul Sangma was in talks to join the party.
Reacting to the speculation, NPP state working president Hamletson Dohling told The Shillong Times that there is “no truth whatsoever” in reports claiming that Sangma is planning to join the NPP.
“I was surprised to see such reports in a section of the media. I am currently in Delhi and I am not aware of any such development. If there were any political move involving a leader of Mukul Sangma’s stature, I would certainly have known about it,” Dohling said.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong are in New Delhi to attend the foundation-laying ceremony of the annexe building of the Meghalaya House at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road on Monday.
During the visit, the Chief Minister is also scheduled to meet several Union ministers.
Political observers noted that the developments have come at a time when Mukul’s future within the TMC has been the subject of intense discussion, with some analysts pointing to an apparent strain in his relationship with the party’s central leadership.
Observers further remarked that having spent nearly a decade in the opposition, Mukul faces limited political options. A move to the BJP is widely considered unlikely, while the formation of a new political party is seen as a high-risk venture with uncertain electoral prospects.
In this backdrop, analysts have suggested that the NPP could be viewed as a plausible alternative should Mukul explore a realignment.
Any such move, they added, would have significant political implications, particularly in the Garo Hills region, where he continues to wield considerable influence and where electoral equations remain delicately poised.
