Meghalaya: NPP Brushes Off TMC-to-Congress Leader Shifts as No Threat in Garo Hills

The National People's Party (NPP) in Meghalaya has dismissed recent defections from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to the Indian National Congress as insignificant to its dominance in the Garo Hills area.

NPP Working President and Cabinet Minister Marcuise Marak addressed the matter on Wednesday, emphasizing that the party perceives no risk from these political maneuvers. He pointed to the NPP's robust track record in previous polls, such as its decisive win over Sadhiarani Sangma—wife of Zenith Sangma—in the Gambegre by-election, as evidence of its resilience. While acknowledging awareness of the ongoing shifts, Marak stressed that they pose no real hurdle, with the true electoral dynamics set to unfold only during the upcoming votes.

This stance follows a prominent Congress induction event in Gambegre last November, the party's second significant rally in the region after Rangsakona. At the gathering, Dengnakpara MDC Sadhiarani M. Sangma publicly severed ties with the TMC and aligned with the Congress, accompanied by a substantial group of followers. The well-attended occasion highlighted tangible momentum in the constituency, which is currently held by Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma, wife of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. The seat became vacant earlier when former MLA Saleng A. Sangma secured the Tura Lok Sabha seat.

The Gambegre developments build on October's notable return, when ex-Rangsakona MLA and TMC figure Zenith M. Sangma formally rejoined the Congress ranks. These high-profile switches have injected fresh vigor into Congress operations across segments of Garo Hills, yet the NPP remains steadfast in its optimism, insisting that such transitions will fail to erode its regional stronghold.

Amid the flurry of activity, the NPP continues to affirm that the defections represent mere ripples, unlikely to disrupt its established position in the politically charged landscape.

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