Shillong, Oct 28: Three MLAs – Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh — who quit the United Democratic Party (UDP) to merge with the National People’s Party (NPP), were formally inducted into the latter on Wednesday.
Welcoming them to the party fold, Chief Minister and NPP national president Conrad K Sangma said humility, teamwork and putting people first make the NPP a different party.
Deputy chief ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar were among other party leaders and workers present on the occasion.
Terming the occasion a “very important day” for the party, the Chief Minister said, “I welcome Paul, Renikton and Nujorki and I don’t want to call them new because we have a very old history. The word new is not doing justice to the kind of friendship and relationship we have had.”
Sungoh is currently undergoing health check-ups and will formally join the NPP in a few days.
Recalling the party’s early days, Sangma said, “I found a photograph from 24th August 2012 at our earlier office in Lachumiere. I have around 15,000 old pictures and while browsing, I saw Bah Renik in that crowd picture from 14 years ago, the day NPP was formed in the state. Calling him a new member is not doing justice.”
Sangma said the joining of three incumbent MLAs is more than NPP getting stronger than ever.
“I am feeling very light and happy to see people I enjoyed working with. We think alike and want to do things in a similar manner. On behalf of the entire NPP family, I welcome you to our house and look forward to serving the people together,” he said.
Sangma said internal differences exist but are handled privately.
“People think we have no differences, but that’s not true. There are many issues we don’t agree on, there are times we fight, but we fight inside the room, not on the ground or in the press. We agree to disagree and say — fine, let us do it. That understanding makes any organization strong,” he said.
“In governance, Bah Prestone may not agree with me, Bah Sniawbha may not agree, I may not agree, but we ask — is it good for people? If yes, we do it. We don’t have much ego. Humility is important in politics and in any organization,” he said.
“If needed, I am ready to go and put up posters and flags myself, even as Chief Minister and national president, if nobody is there to do it. That is the spirit I want in every member. Never think anything is too small when serving the party and people,” Sangma said.
On the pressure of public life, he said, “We should never ask for pressure to go. We have chosen pressure as our life. Sometimes I get tired, when a major issue or pressure group comes to give me a headache, I remember I chose this and cannot complain. We sit in the chair because we have to take that pressure, because we may be woken up at 2 am for an emergency. We have no right to complain.”
“Remember, when you work for a party, you commit yourself to the service of the people. That should guide you in every step. If that guides you, you will never make mistakes,” he added.
