Meghalaya, Feb 6: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma is on a four-day visit to Manipur to campaign against the BJP-led alliance of which his party, the National Peoples’ Party (NPP), is a member.
In 2017, the NPP contested only nine seats in which it won four seats – the best strike rate among all parties – and emerged as kingmaker. Without the support of the NPP, the BJP would not be able to form a coalition government.
This time, the NPP is fielding 42 candidates for the 60-seat assembly, almost five times more than last time. 19 of them are BJP leaders who switch sides after refusing tickets.
However, the BJP has played down the NPP threat.
“The NPP dreams of emerging as an alternative to BJP in Manipur. After this election, the NPP will not exist here. They have no organizational base in Manipur, they only come to elections,” said Manipur BJP Vice President Chidananda Singh.
The BJP contested all 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly elections. At least 10 former leaders of Congress among 16 Deputies who have joined the BJP have received tickets in Manipur.
Deputy CM Yumnam Joy Kumar Singh, who is from the NPP, has been critical in election rallies about the BJP, which leads the coalition government of which Mr Singh is a part.
Also Read: Manipur Assembly polls: Filing of nominations for the first phase begins
Political observers say Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma is working hard to improve his party’s performance in Manipur, linking it to his two other ambitions – firstly the need to keep the national party’s status alive for the NPP and secondly, the need to strengthen his hand in his house. state where the Trinamool Congress gains ground.
Meanwhile, Congress has already extended an olive branch to Mr Sangma’s NPP.
“NPP is ‘in principle’ with us. We worked together in Rajya Sabha polls,” said Hemochandra, Congress Working President in Manipur.
In 2017, Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 28 seats, but later several leaders left the party. In an alliance following the poll with Naga People’s Front (NPF), National Peoples’ Party (NPP), the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Independent candidate, the BJP was able to form the government in the state.
