Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad Sangma has stated that there is a large vacuum in Manipur’s political landscape, with many people looking for a platform that genuinely understands their concerns and aspirations. Sangma made this statement during a press conference after attending the NPP’s annual convention at the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) in Imphal.
According to Sangma, interactions with residents during his two-day visit indicated that people were tired and exhausted by the prolonged crisis in the state. He emphasized that the NPP, as the largest regional party from the Northeast, is well-positioned to fill that political space due to its understanding of the region’s diverse communities. However, Sangma acknowledged that the party still has considerable work to do in understanding the state’s complex local issues.
During his visit, Sangma participated in a series of organisational meetings to strengthen the party’s base, inaugurated the NPP’s new office at Mantripukhri in Imphal in preparation for the upcoming Assembly elections, met Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, and later called on the Governor to discuss the prevailing situation in the state. He expressed concern over the continuing unrest in Manipur, emphasizing that rebuilding trust among different communities would remain a key priority for the party.
Sangma stated that lasting peace would require sustained dialogue and engagement with community leaders, adding that meaningful progress could only be achieved by reconnecting communities and rebuilding bridges of trust. He also underscored the government’s responsibility in restoring normalcy, saying those responsible for creating unrest must be dealt with firmly. Maintaining a strong law-and-order system, he said, is essential to ensuring peace and harmony.
Regarding the party’s electoral plans, Sangma said the NPP has witnessed a significant increase in public support since 2017. However, he said the decision on whether the party will contest all 60 Assembly constituencies in the 2027 Manipur elections will be taken by its election committee. Sangma clarified that the NPP will not enter into any pre-poll alliance for the 2027 Manipur Assembly elections, maintaining that every political party should seek an independent mandate from the people.
