NPP to sever ties with BJP-led NDA if CAB is passed: Conrad

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 9, 2019

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma was today elected unopposed as the National President of the National People’s Party (NPP) for the second consecutive term during the National General Body Meeting (GBM) of the party held at Shillong.

The tenure of the office is for a period of three years, 2019 – 2022.

The GBM also passed the amended constitution of the party, financial report of the year 2017-18, and discussed at length regarding strengthening of the party for the upcoming parliamentary election and State Legislative Election for Arunachal Pradesh.

The meeting also discussed at length the burning issue of – Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 and has resolved to sever its ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) if the the Bill is passed in the Upper House of the Parliament.

“The party has adopted a resolution to oppose the CAB which will be submitted to the Government of India. The party has also decided that if this bill is passed in the Rajya Sabha NPP will break away from NDA,” said Conrad K. Sangma.

The party has decided to contest 24 seats in North East in 2019 Lok Sabha election and the 60 seats in State Assembly election to Arunachal Pradesh.

“As a party we are keen to contest all the Lok Sabha seats in the Northeast. We will work out a mechanism and see how we can go forward. We as party want to play a pivotal role in voicing the concerns of the people and provide them a common platform to champion the cause of Northeast,” he said.

The meeting had threadbare discussion on measures to strengthen the party in all the State of the North East for the upcoming election as well as formation of the party unit in the State of Assam, where the State Unit will be officially launched on February 17.

The GBM was attended by party functionaries from different parts of the North East, including representative from the national body comprising of leaders like Prestone Tynsong, Joykumar Singh Yumnam, Dr. DD Lapang, James Sangma, Dr. Lalrintluanga Jahau, Sashank Gataraj Sonelal Kol, Inder Bahadur Pandey, S.K. Sarkar, amongst others.