NPP’s National General Secretary (Organisation), James Sangma and others at a press conference in Dimapur on May 10. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 10
The National People’s Party (NPP) has become the first political party to officially declare intention to contest in the 2024 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections in Nagaland scheduled on June 26. The party’s National General Secretary (Organisation), James Sangma, made the announcement on May 10 in Dimapur at a press conference.
According to Sangma, the party will contest in the ULBs which fall under the Assembly constituencies held by its MLAs. The NPP, currently heading a coalition government in Meghalaya, has 5 MLAs in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. Three of the seats fall in the eastern Nagaland block or under the sphere of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), which boycotted the Lok Sabha polls and has also announced to boycott the upcoming ULB polls as well. The three seats include 48 Moka held A Nyamnyei Konyak, 57 Thonoknyu held by Benei M Lamthiu and 59 Seyochung-Sitimi, held by C Kipili Sangtam.
The party was however cautious when queried on the prospect in the three seats. A state NPP official said that the party was well aware of the ENPO’s stand. He said that as a political party, the NPP would wish for people participating in the elections, only to add, “But we cannot, you know, overrule things which are not in our hands.
The other two seats are held by Nuklutoshi (22 Arkakong) and Dr Tseilhoutuo (Ato) Rhutso (9 Kohima Town).
Sangma was not clear on whether the NPP would also contest against its PDA coalition partners, while only stating that it will contest in areas “where there is a demand for the NPP.” “Looking at the changing political landscape of Nagaland, we feel that there is a lot of opportunity for the NPP to also expand into other areas where we feel that there is a considerable demand for the NPP to contest,” he said.
As far as the NPP’s ULB poll plank was concerned, he said that the party is looking at it from two angles. He said one would be improving existing structural problems by introducing better civic amenities like drainage and drinking water issues and the other would be to inject fresh ideas and innovation into management of civic bodies.
In a separate interview, Sangma cited the electoral history of Nagaland, a state that has not seen women winning elections, save the 2023 Assembly elections. He said that the party would want to see more women coming forward.
Commenting on the controversy surrounding the former Indian Overseas Congress chairperson, Sam Pitroda’s allegedly racist remark on India’s ethnic diversity, he said that that it was sad that it came from a highly intellectual and educated person.
He was further queried on the former NPP Nagaland unit President, Andrew Ahoto Sema’s conspicuous no-shows at party related events of late, including the day’s meeting and subsequent press conference. Sangma maintained that all was fine in the state organisational hierarchy, while acknowledging what he said was Sema’s contribution to building up the party in Nagaland. Now the National General Secretary, he said that Sema’s administrative skills will play a role in helping the party at the national level.
