NPP all set to re-enter Assam politics ahead of Assembly polls

SHILLONG:

The National People’s Party (NPP) is all set to re-enter Assam politics with the formation of the State Adhoc Committee on Saturday, ahead of the assembly elections in the north-eastern state.

The NPP announced the formation of the Assam State Adhoc Committee on February 20 in Shillong, Meghalaya where office bearers were appointed by NPP National General Secretary in-charge of Finance and Election In-charge of Assam State, James P K. Sangma.

The new office bearers include Biswajit Baruah as vice president, Abul Hussain, Purna Kanta Pegu and Partha Pratim Mahanta as general secretaries, Fulgence Toppo, Raj Prasad Saikia and Chandan Kalita as secretaries, Ringkhang Mushahary as secretary (BTR in charge), Sunit Das as treasurer, Nihar Ranjan Gogoi as an office secretary, Krishna Bhattacharya (Women’s Wing) and Lakhyana Lagasu (Women’s Wing) as conveners.

Congratulating the new members, Sangma extended his wishes to the newly appointed office-bearers in their endeavours to strengthen the party, especially since the NPP is gearing up to contest the upcoming elections in Assam.

When contacted, National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) National Working President Nicky Nongkhlaw told TNT-The Northeast Today that the party is contesting to win the elections and open an account in Assam.

He said that the party is yet to decide on the number of seats to contest and the process of identifying candidates is underway.

When asked whether the party is allying with any of the regional parties of Assam, Nongkhlaw replied in the negative. “We have different ideologies though, of course, we did voice our concerns over the enactment of Citizenship Amendment Act in Northeast,” he said.

The NPP youth leader also exuded confidence in winning many seats, adding that the people of Assam are looking for a change.

NPP, as a national party which “serves the interests of the tribals”, is an alternative to the “beleaguered” Congress and the BJP, Nongkhlaw added.

It was informed that a unit of the NPP in Assam was formed in 2017 but remained inactive. The party was reorganised with the formation of the Adhoc Committee on Friday.

(Edited by Iban Mawrie)