Kohima: Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma asserted that NPP can become the voice the northeast has waited for if party workers remain rooted, practical and connected.He lamented that the region has long lacked a unified political voice and is often under-represented in national decision-making. The NPP president also emphasised that while his party holds a national status, its core strength and commitment remain rooted in the northeast.Addressing Nagaland NPP leaders and functionaries, the party national president reiterated his long-term vision of building the party’s presence in the state, noting that shifting political scenarios in the region could open up new opportunities. “There’s a shift happening in northeast politics. If we stay rooted, practical, and connected, NPP can become the voice the region has waited for,” he said.Later, during an interaction with journalists, Conrad reiterated that the party’s foundation rested on representing the voice of the indigenous and tribal communities. “While NPP is a national party, its strength is rooted in the region,” he said.He emphasised that NPP will continue to take a strong stand on issues affecting the region, such as citizenship, identity and development.Highlighting the party’s growing footprint, Conrad cited significant gains in states like Manipur — where NPP increased its vote share from 6% in 2017 to nearly 17% in 2022 — and in Nagaland, where the party grew from two to five MLAs in the 2023 elections.Emphasising the importance of building a strong, grassroots-based political platform that can represent the unique needs and aspirations of the region, the Meghalaya CM reflected on the journey of NPP. “Building a political party is no easy task, especially in the northeast, where local dynamics are deeply complex. But through perseverance and staying focused on regional issues, we’ve grown from a local platform to one of the six national parties in India,” he said.Asked for his comment on Union home minister Amit Shah’s comments suggesting a preference for Indian languages over English, Conrad clarified that while promoting regional languages is important, English remained indispensable in Meghalaya, Nagaland and much of the northeast. pti
