Conrad builds up case for NPP

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Oct 24: A strong supporter of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma in South West Garo Hills district deserted him and joined the tiolist People Party (NPP). The youth leader identified as Dipu Koch on Monday joined the NPP during the iuguration of the party office at Ampati in South West Garo Hills.

NPP tiol president Conrad K Sangma welcomed him into the party and reposed faith that Koch would be able to gear up grassroots support for the party in South West Garo Hills.

He said that Koch would be an asset for the party. “Dipu Koch joining NPP is an indication that people even in Mukul’s area are not happy with his leadership. The Congress has failed to live up to the expectation of the people. There is a wind of change across Meghalaya and Koch would channelise the spirit of the party amongst the youth,” Conrad said while addressing the meeting during the iuguration of the party office.

Conrad announced that Ian Botham K Sangma (Janggam), a young and educated leader is working hard to ensure NPP’s victory at Chongpara in South West Garo Hills. “Janggam has been working at the grassroots to understand the problems of the people,” he said.

“He is an able leader with proper educatiol background. Young leaders like him would ensure that people’s voice are well represented in the Assembly,” Conrad added.

The NPP leader told the crowd that there is a huge expectation among the people of Khasi-Jaintia Hills that NPP would emerge as the single largest party and would form the government in 2018.

“Politicians cutting across party lines are coming to NPP. Several senior Congress leaders from Khasi Hills have expressed their support for NPP. People are confident that NPP is an altertive to end the misrule of the Congress party in Meghalaya,” Conrad asserted.

He said few years back people in Khasi and Jaintia Hills had perceived NPP as a Garo party, but now it is understood by everyone that NPP is a party for the people of Northeast, the margilized, minorities and for the vulnerable section of the society.

“There is a strong wave for NPP in Meghalaya. We have to unite and come together to support NPP candidates to ensure that we are able to form a government of the people and assure equal growth and development of the state,” Conrad told the crowd of over 3000 people at Congpara.

“We are expecting a good number of seats in Khasi, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills and would form a single party government. If all our calculations go right, we will form the government for the people of Meghalaya and work together to realise the dreams and fulfill the aspirations of the people,” Conrad asserted.

The NPP chief said the people have rejected the Congress party that ruled in 24 States of India. “The Congress has been reduced to just four States. In Assam, Aruchal and Manipur, the Congress has been rejected. There is a similar wave in our State and we are sure that people would reject Congress here as well,” he added.

Conrad explained that the people are rejecting the Congress because they are doing nothing. “People are not reaping the benefits of the welfare programmes and development

because the Congress has been selective in allotment of schemes to the people. We will unearth their unholy vision for the people,” he added.

Conrad said that as an MP of Tura Lok Sabha constituency, he has made effort to raise the voice of the people of Garo Hills, Meghalaya and Northeast and has raised issues concerning the tribals, Christians and minorities.