NPP’s first Northeast Coordination Committee (NECC) Conference held in Shillong

Shillong: After the Election Commission of India declared NPP as the National Political Party, on Saturday, NPP held its first Northeast Coordination Committee (NECC) conference in Shillong with an objective to further strengthen the party in the region and propagate the vision and ideology of the party.

The NPP-NECC is headed by former Meghalaya Chief Minister and one of the political stalwarts of the Northeast, DD Lapang.

Delivering his keynote address at the opening session of the conference, Lapang said that the conference will usher in an era of new progress for the party.

“It is a crucial meeting as the party will make an endeavour to formulate a road map to take the vision and mission of the party to different nook and corners of the Northeast,” Lapang said.

He said that NPP’s recognition as a “National Party” by the Election Commission of India will pave a new way in the regional political arena, as the NPP becomes the first party from the Northeast to be accorded the “National Party” tag.

“It is a responsibility for the party to carry forward the onus to represent the regional aspirations of the people at the national level. NPP has remained committed and it will further continue to fulfil its agenda for the Northeast,” Lapang echoed.

Speaking on the occasion, NPP national president, Conrad K. Sangma said, “The recognition of NPP as a national party is a great achievement for the people of Northeast. It is a moment for all of us to remember the ideals of our late leader Purno A Sangma, whose contribution to the party has led this possible. Though he is not amongst us today his ideas will live forever.”

He congratulated members of the party, who have worked tirelessly in different states of the region.

The beauty of recognition of the party as “National Party” is a testimony of how brick by brick and drop by drop an ocean is created. “It is not because the NPP has formed the government in Meghalaya or accorded the tag because we were part of the government in Manipur or the two MLAs from Nagaland but it is the collective contributions of all the States including those who contested from the party and lost the elections. Every MLA who won has contributed. It is a great example that if everyone comes together, the most difficult task can be accomplished.”

“NPP is not just a party from the Northeast but a party purely created by the Northeast to fulfil the aspirations of our people,” the NPP chief added.

He also said that the recognition has proved a point that irrespective of our difference at times and diversity when we come together we can achieve greater heights. “When Northeast came together with one idea and one vision, we have demonstrated that we can also be included in the national political arena and be the voice of the Northeast. It is a responsibility for us now to raise the aspiration and concerns of our people,” Conrad exhorted.

Leaders from different States including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram attended the conference, including Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, Joykumar Singh and other NPP cabinet ministers from Manipur, Meghalaya, legislative party leader of Arunachal Pradesh Mutchu Mithi, among others attended the conference.

During the conference, the newly elected MP from Tura, Agatha K. Sangma, leader from Arunachal Mutchu Mithi and newly elected MLA from Meghalaya, who won the Selsella by-election Ferlin C. A. Sangma were felicitated by NPP chief Conrad K. Sangma.

A two-minute silence was observed to honour the departed leader of NPP from Arunachal Pradesh, Tirong Aboh and others killed in a militant attack last month.

Also Read: Election Commission of India declares NPP as National Political Party