Shillong: Three more leaders joined the National People’s Party (NPP) here on Wednesday in the run up to the assembly polls in the state next year.
Member of District Council (MDC) Grace Mary Kharpuri from Nongshken constituency won as a Congress candidate. She however left the party in 2019 after she was denied a ticket to contest the Shella by-poll. Kharpuri, an independent candidate, is now a member of the NPP.
MDC Joseph Fantin Lakadong from Laitumkhrah constituency had recently taken the decision to ditch the Congress party and was officially welcomed by the NPP leaders on Wednesday. It may be mentioned that Lakadong is the spouse of Congress MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh. Sources have hinted that there may be a chance of Lyngdoh also hopping on to the NPP.
Ex-MDC from Jirang constituency, WL Mynsong, was another leader who joined the party today.
Also read: Meghalaya CM inaugurates refurbished U Soso Tham auditorium
National president of the NPP and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that it was truly a blessing that more and more leaders are joining the party.
Reminding the party workers of the purpose of the party which is to unite and take the region forward, Sangma said the people should have a purpose when joining the party.
“It was wonderful to listen to the different aspects, why they’ve decided to join the party. The NPP is working towards taking the state and region forward. Based on this ideology, our party is growing in different parts of the Northeast,” said Sangma.
The national president emphasised how a party should have three aspects – ideology of the party, vision of the party or what it stands for because that is what drives the entire purpose of what an organisation is about.
Meanwhile, Kharpuri said the reason for joining the party was because the party has quality leaders. “I’ve been observing for a long time about how the NPP has been dealing with the people in the state. Even though politics is not new to me anymore but in my journey since 2009, I’ve experienced different political parties,” said Kharpuri.
Adding that she was ready for the critics, Kharpuri said the people out there don’t know the reality.
“I don’t mean to flatter but I have seen quality leadership…Our chief minister is the most humble and down to earth I’ve ever come across. We need these type of political leaders to give love and understanding, and to welcome everyone. So I’m happy to join and looking forward to work harder for the betterment of the state,” said Kharpuri.
Echoing the same opinion, Lakadong said he had joined the party due to his admiration for the leaders. Stating that it was a tough decision but his leaders helped him in this direction, he said, “There was a unanimous decision from my people that I should join the NPP.”
He added that he did not joining politics for himself but for his constituency. “My constituency needs to grow and this party will make my constituency grow,” he added.