Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People's Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday expressed deep distress over the political development in Nagaland, where four party MLAs decided to merge with the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP). Describing his personal reaction, Sangma stated that he was very upset about the move, while pointing out that such shifts frequently unfold across the political landscape.
Precedents Across the Northeast
Addressing the development, Sangma observed that mergers and floor crossings have repeatedly taken place across various corners of the country and specifically in the Northeastern region. He pointed out that this is not an unprecedented event, recalling that comparable occurrences had previously taken place in both Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. For political outfits operating in the region, dealing with such structural fluctuations has historically been part of managing party presence.
Call for Unity Across Party Ranks
Directing his message toward party workers, leaders, and grassroots supporters, Sangma underlined the need for solidarity during turbulent moments. He urged all party functionaries to stick together and continue collective work despite facing tough times. The NPP chief maintained that this episode should solidify the determination of the cadre rather than weaken its operational morale, expressing confidence that the organization will bounce back and emerge significantly stronger in Nagaland as well as across the wider Northeast.
Position Within the NDA Across States
Sangma clarified that the NPP firmly remains a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), even as the specific governing arrangements vary from state to state. In Meghalaya, the party shares cabinet berths directly with its regional allies. Conversely, in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, the party provided outside support to the respective administrations without securing ministerial participation in governance. In Manipur, the party secured one of five ministerial berths during the recent swearing-in ceremony. Sangma noted that each state operates under distinct conditions, emphasizing that across all four states where the NPP holds a presence, it has backed the NDA government regardless of which partner leads it.
