Kohima: In a significant political development, 15 youth leaders of the National People’s Party (NPP) from Nagaland have joined the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), citing the desire for political growth.
The announcement was made during a press conference at Congress Bhavan in Kohima on Monday, where Nagaland Lok Sabha MP Supongmeren Jamir and Congress Working President Khriedi Theünuo welcomed the new members.
Jamir said the leaders had expressed their commitment to working for the grassroots and contributing to the state’s political transformation. He described their decision to join the Congress as a turning point for the party and asserted that their combined efforts would drive the party’s mission forward.
Theünuo called the move a “significant “giant step” for the Congress and expressed happiness over the inclusion of young, capable leaders in the party. He added that the decision reflected the growing appeal of the Congress among the youth in Nagaland.
Explaining their decision, former NPP Vice President Bitong Sangtamsaid their departure from the NPP was not driven by animosity but by a need for better opportunities for growth. He shared that they had tried their best within the NPP but felt stagnant, with limited scope to contribute effectively as young leaders.
According to him, the Congress, as one of the oldest political parties in the country, offered a platform where they could grow and work with dedication to bring meaningful change.
General Secretary Hiketo Shohe, said the decision was also based on ideological differences and a lack of electoral prospects within the NPP. He noted that the group wanted to be part of a strong opposition that could address critical issues such as factionalism, border disputes, and the need for effective representation of Nagas in Parliament.
He compared Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s proactive approach during the Manipur crisis with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence, adding that Gandhi had shown the kind of leadership young people like him wanted to follow.
Shohe informed that the NPP chief and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma had urged the youth leaders to remain in the party, however the youth leaders felt disappointed with the NPP particularly after the Urban Local Body elections.
He felt there was no substantial progress and decided it was time to move on. They expressed regret over leaving behind good relationships but maintained that the decision was necessary for their growth and to contribute more effectively to Nagaland’s future.
He expressed confidence in the Congress’ future prospects, saying that despite the party currently lacking MLAs in Nagaland, it offered a promising platform for young leaders.
Heto Achumi, former vice president of the National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) an autonomous body of the NPP, said they saw the Congress as a way to bridge the gap between older and younger generations.
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