The National People’s Party (NPP) has expressed worry about the Naga People’s Front (NPF) allegedly poaching its elected representatives, which it views as harmful to democratic politics. The NPP, a key player in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, voiced its dissatisfaction over the repeated attempts by the NPF to lure its members.
NPP’s National Working President James K. Sangma highlighted the recent defection of two NPP Municipal Councillors from Kohima to the NPF, following a similar incident involving councillors from Dimapur. Sangma emphasized that such actions seem to form a deliberate pattern rather than isolated occurrences. The NPP believes that political competition should be based on ideology and public service, not on undermining other parties through undemocratic means.
The circumstances surrounding the defections are concerning, with reports suggesting pressure was exerted on councillors through threats related to development funds and government schemes. If true, these allegations raise serious concerns about the misuse of political influence. The NPP emphasized the importance of democratic principles and denounced the use of public resources as a tool for political coercion.
The NPP is closely monitoring the situation in Nagaland and is committed to taking necessary steps to strengthen its organizational structure. The party aims to reinforce its grassroots leadership and build a resilient cadre-based party to withstand defections. The NPP remains optimistic that the people of Nagaland seek politics based on credibility and public service, rather than opportunistic defections.
