Shillong: The National People’s Party (NPP) on Wednesday inducted three All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) members of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), taking its strength in the council to 21.
The three MDCs who joined the NPP are Cherak Watre Momin of Kharkutta constituency, Alphonsush R Marak of Williamnagar constituency and Agassi R Marak of Balachanda constituency. Former Director of Mineral Resources Pius D Sangma also joined the party.
They were inducted by NPP national president and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in the presence of state president Prestone Tynsong and other senior party leaders at the party office in Shillong.
Explaining his decision to join the NPP, Agassi R Marak said he wanted to move forward in his political journey and contribute to the party, adding that he had left the TMC without any animosity.
He said the perception that the TMC was a Bengali party had affected its acceptance among people in the region.
Asked whether he was eyeing an NPP ticket for the 2028 Assembly elections, Marak said the decision would rest with the party leadership.
“I did not join with the context of getting a party ticket. It will totally depend on the party leadership. If they see me fit, I will work towards it. Otherwise, I will work for the party in whatever capacity it decides,” he said.
Marak also backed the NPP-led GHADC executive committee’s decision to introduce a separate electoral roll and make Scheduled Tribe certificates mandatory for candidates contesting council elections, describing the measures as historic.
He said the Sixth Schedule was intended to protect tribal communities and that the reforms would benefit the Garo community and Meghalaya as a whole.
Meanwhile, Alphonsush R Marak said his decision to join the NPP was driven by the party’s assurance on the long-pending demand for a separate electoral roll in the GHADC.
He said he had been pursuing the demand since his days in the Garo Students’ Union’s eastern zone between 2004 and 2009, and had also raised the issue during his association with the Congress.
According to him, national parties had failed to give adequate attention to the demand, prompting him to work with the NPP under Conrad Sangma’s leadership.
He also clarified that his entry into the NPP would not create any conflict with sitting MLA Marcuise Marak, as he had no intention of contesting the 2028 Assembly elections.
“We have come to an understanding with my MLA, Mr Marcuise Marak. There will be no issue. I am not contesting the MLA election in 2028,” he said.
Alphonsush added that he had been approached to contest the forthcoming GHADC elections on an NPP ticket.
Cherak Watre Momin, meanwhile, said his decision was influenced by the opportunity to work towards reforms in the district council.
He pointed to amendments to Rules 128 and 129 concerning the separate electoral roll, the introduction of service rules for GHADC employees and the digitisation of services, including the issuance of pattas.
Momin said these were among the long-pending demands he had pursued while in the opposition and that joining the ruling party would allow him to contribute further to the council’s functioning.
On his political plans, Momin said his immediate focus was on working within the NPP and abiding by its constitution, while expressing his intention to contest the forthcoming GHADC elections.
The induction of the three MDCs also brings the question of the NPP’s electoral strategy ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections into focus, particularly in constituencies where the new entrants may have political ambitions.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Agassi R Marak, who finished second in the 2023 Assembly elections, could emerge as a potential aspirant for the Selsella seat. His entry into the NPP raises questions about how the party leadership will accommodate him alongside incumbent Selsella MLA Arbinstone Marak.
Similarly, Alphonsush R Marak’s clarification that he would not contest the Assembly elections appears to rule out an immediate contest with the sitting Williamnagar MLA, while Momin has also indicated that his immediate electoral focus is on the GHADC polls.
Also Read | Nagaland revises CM Health Insurance registration norms