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PA Sangma to launch tribal-centric party today

By Correspondent

SHILLONG, Aug 23 � Keeping up with his promise, Purno A Sangma will float a new �tribal-centric� political party christened the National People�s Party (NPP), here tomorrow.

Sources said that a large chunk of the present Nationalist Congress Party legislators and functionaries are slated to join the NPP. Sangma himself would be heading the new tribal-centric party. �The new party would be launched tomorrow and Sangma would be heading the party,� sources said.

Sangma, earlier this year, vacated his Assembly seat in Tura, West Garo Hills and contested the Presidential elections. He was backed by Bharatiya Janata Party, AIADMK, Biju Janata Dal and Akali Dal and was banking on tribal votes for his victory. He, however, lost to United Progressive Alliance�s nominee Pranab Mukherjee.

Immediately after the election debacle, Sangma announced that a tribal-centric party would be formed to take forward the aspirations of millions of tribals across the nation. The former Lok Sabha Speaker years back formed the NCP together with Shard Pawar after defecting from the Congress.

Meanwhile, NPP�s symbol would be a book and a meeting with the Election Commission is slated soon to register the party. �After the formal announcement of the party, all the new members would be meeting the Election Commission to register the party,� the source added.

Thirteen NCP legislators in Meghalaya, who had voted for Sangma in the presidential election, are going to join the new party. �Not just the NCP members from Meghalaya, we are expecting indigenous people and leaders from the region and across the nation to join the new party to fulfil their aspirations,� the source said.

At least three States of the Northeast � Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura � are scheduled to go for Assembly polls in February next year. The NPP is already hoping that these polls would cement its place in India�s fragmented political scenario.

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