Shillong, March 18: The National People’s Party (NPP) today kicked off its election rally from Adokgre in North Garo Hills, which was named by late Purno Agitok Sangma as “Chenanggre”, which translates to “land of victory”.
For over three decades, late Sangma had always addressed election campaign from Adokgre and had won successive elections. Agatha Sangma had also addressed her first election campaign about a decade ago from the same place and had won the election.
Addressing her first election rally here, Agatha said, “In 2008 I had joined politics to contest the Lok Sabha seat where my late father was beside me. I was very young than and the current candidate of the Congress party Dr. Mukul Sangma even refused to contest against me. But today, I am matured in politics and that is the reason maybe that he is fighting against me.”
Promising to raise the concerns of the people of Garo Hills in the parliament, Agatha sought for people’s mandate assuring that as someone who has been in active politics for over a decade now is well versed with the issues of the region.
“NPP has evolved as party of the region and is working for the common good of Northeast and its people. I am in the company of different leaders of the region that would be an added boost for me and the party as we work unitedly for the people of the region,” Agatha echoed.
Former Chief Minister and Advisor to the Government Dr DD Lapang also addressed the rally at Adokgre. He said, “When Agatha was sworn in as the youngest Union Minister of the country everybody in the Parliament and in the political arena admired her. We should be proud of her background and her calibre. She is the most deserving leader of Garo Hills to be in the Lok Sabha.”
Dr. Lapang also castigated the Congress leadership. “I worked down the beauty of Congress,, which is gone now. The spirits of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi is gone, Sonia Gandhi is getting old and everything is going wrong with the AICC. I resigned from the party which I have served for 50 years,” he said.
He told the gathering that NPP is a national party with a difference as it was founded by late P A Sangma, a son of the soul. “We will stand and work together with NPP. We need to get an MP who can speak in the parliament. We have many problems . Conrad has the ability to serve the people from the region. We are complete behind our leader who can served our state and the region,” the former CM exalted.
National President of NPP and Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma said, “The Lok Sabha elections and election to legislative assembly of Arunachal Pradesh is very crucial for NPP as the party is expanding its reach across the region to make the voice of the region loud in the parliament.”
Mr Conrad said NPP is a party which stand for Northeast and there was no other party, which is specifically working for the overall good and development of the region.
“Late PA Sangma had served NE and especially Garo Hills for over 40 years in different capacity and brought development to Garo Hills. People of Garo Hills and NE loves him. He could not finished all his dream. We as his children want to accomplish all his dreams for Garo Hills,” he said while seeking support for the party and its candidate.
He told the gathering that the ruling MDA government has listed all the dreams of Late Sangma and is slowly working to fulfil his dream, which is for the benefit of the people of Meghalaya and the Northeast.
“The MDA is ruling in the State. If we have Agatha Sangma as our MP, it will be very convenient for the government in the State and the centre to coordinate and work,” he added.
“My father was the voice. I will not let you down and be the voice of Garo Hills and the region. The North East parties are with me and the people of Garo Hills . This is an important elections,” he said.
