Shillong, October 19: Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar on Monday said his decision to join the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) was inspired by the performance of the MDA government and supported by the people of his constituency.
Tongkhar, who began his political career with the HSPDP and later joined the UDP in an effort to unite regional parties, submitted his merger papers to Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma along with two other UDP MLAs.
“If I may put it in one line, the performance of this government, both MDA-I and MDA-II, has prompted me to take this decision, and it is not just my decision but also that of the people of my constituency,” he said.
He added that his decision to join the NPP had received the support of his constituents.
“You will be happy to know that I have taken this step after my people made their decision. As you have seen, a large number of people from Mawkyrwat have already joined the NPP. As a leader who believes that I need followers, I follow them so that they will follow me,” Tongkhar said.
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Asked about his earlier efforts to unite regional parties, the Mawkyrwat legislator said the initiatives under the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) had failed to achieve their objective.
“We tried and did our best to unite the regional parties. Under the banner of the RDA, we made every effort, but, as you have seen, we failed. Therefore, if we genuinely want to strengthen a political party led by our own people, the only option and opportunity is the NPP,” he said.
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“I am proud to say that the NPP is a national party with a presence across the country, but it is led by our own people from this region, and I am very proud of that,” he added.
