SHILLONG : National People’s Party (NPP) national president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday welcomed former UDP legislators Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh into the party, describing them as old friends rather than new members.
The three former legislators were formally welcomed into the NPP in Shillong in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, along with party workers and supporters.
Sangma said his long-standing friendship and relationship with the three leaders made the term “new members” inappropriate, adding that their induction was a happy moment for the NPP family.
“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,” he said.
He added that Nujorki Sungoh, who is currently undergoing medical check-ups, would formally join the party in the coming days.
Recalling his association with Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, Sangma shared a photograph taken on August 24, 2012, at the NPP’s former party office in Lachumiere, Shillong, on the day the party was formed in Meghalaya.
Sangma said he had come across the photograph while browsing through his collection of around 15,000 old pictures, noting that Renikton was already present among party supporters at the time.
“That was 14 years back, on the day the party was formed in our state. So calling Bah Renik a new member is not doing justice to him,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the induction was not merely about strengthening the party numerically but also about reuniting with leaders with whom he shared similar political thinking and a common approach to public service.
“It is not just about the party getting stronger, I am feeling very light and happy today. I enjoyed working with these people, I like being around them. We think alike, we want to do things in a similar manner,” he said.
Welcoming the three leaders on behalf of the NPP, Sangma expressed his hope that they would work together to serve the people of Meghalaya.
Teamwork and humility behind NPP’s strength
Explaining the factors behind the NPP’s organisational strength, Sangma said teamwork, mutual understanding and humility were essential to building a strong political party.
He maintained that disagreements among leaders were natural but should be resolved internally rather than through public statements or the media.
“People think we have no differences but that’s not true. We do disagree, we fight, but we fight inside the room, not on the ground or in the press or in public. We agree to disagree and move on,” he said.
Sangma added that the same principle applied to governance, where leaders might hold differing views but ultimately had to prioritise the interests of the people.
He said a willingness to listen, accept differences and keep personal egos in check had helped strengthen the organisation.
Emphasising the importance of humility, the NPP president said no party responsibility should be considered too small, regardless of a person’s position.
He said he would be willing to put up party posters and flags himself, even while serving as Chief Minister and national president, if the need arose.
Conrad says pressure is part of public service
Addressing party workers, Sangma said political responsibility inevitably brought pressure and challenges, and those choosing to serve the people should be prepared to accept them.
He recalled that even when he felt tired or faced pressure from major issues and pressure groups, he reminded himself that he had chosen a life of public service.
He also pointed out that public representatives must remain prepared to respond to emergencies, even during the early hours of the morning.
“When you choose to work for the party, you are choosing to commit yourself to the service of the people. That should be your guiding principle and if that guides you, you will never make mistakes,” Sangma said.