TURA, Dec 11 - National People�s Party (NPP) today presented its party leaders from Manipur at a public meeting here in a show of strength. The meeting was also attended by its candidates from Garo Hills who would contest the upcoming 2018 Assembly election.
NPP chief Conrad K Sangma declared in the meeting that in the untimely demise of former Minister Manirul Islam Sarkar, his younger brother, who is a member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council SG Esmatur Mominin (Rohibul) would be allotted party ticket to contest Phulbari constituency of West Garo Hills.
He told the gathering that the next Chief Minister of Meghalaya would be from the region, which gets the maximum number of seats. �If people of Garo Hills wants to have a Chief Minister from Garo Hills, we have to ensure that NPP gets at least 20 seats�.
The seed of the party was sown by his late father Purno Sangma, who had tirelessly worked to strengthen its base across North East and other parts of the country including Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. �Everywhere people have accepted the party�, he said.
Conrad said, �PA Sangma had envisioned NPP as a party for the people of North East. NPP is on the right track today and we are definitely going to make ourselves heard in Delhi. We must have a political party that represents NE and will go with the right numbers in Delhi�, he said.
He urged the people of Meghalaya to ensure that NPP emerges as the single largest party.
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Joykumar Singh Yumnam, who attended the meeting, said that it was important for the people to realise the importance of �dignity� and �self-respect� and introspect and strengthen NPP, which stands for the cause of the people of North East.
�People of NE is looked down upon and their citizen status questioned at times because we look different. We have to understand and realise the dreams of late Purno Agitok Sangma, who fought for the cause of NE and ensure that NPP is voted to power in the 2018 Meghalaya election�, said Joykumar.
Manipur Health and Family Welfare and Art and Culture Minister L Jayanta Kumar Singh said that people of North East should come together to fight for a common goal and ensure that the dream of late Purno Sangma is realised.
�NPP is committed to eradicate poverty in NE and build infrastructure for holistic and equitable development of the region. We are a rich region with potential in sports, culture and unique heritage�, said Jayanta.
Manipur Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip said that people of Meghalaya is looking for a change and a party that is oriented with the people.
NPP National vice president Phungzathang Tonsing said, �Most of the Northeastern States are looking for a change in leadership and we have seen that people have rejected Congress in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and this should and will happen in Meghalaya also,� he asserted.
NPP National youth president Ratika Yumnam said, �NPP is the only party that can deliver and live upto the expectations of the people.�
