A major political change appears to be taking shape in the North East, as the National People’s Party (NPP) led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma is preparing to join hands with several regional leaders and parties from different states to form a single, pan-North East political party. The move is aimed at creating a strong, united voice for the people of the region at the national level.
According to political sources, discussions have been ongoing for some time and the plan is to bring regional forces together so that the North East has one strong platform in Parliament and in state assemblies. The Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA), led by Tripura royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma, is expected to merge with the NPP as part of this initiative. The formal joining and merger of leaders, including Members of the Legislative Assembly and members of district councils from Tripura, is likely to take place in New Delhi on Monday.
TIPRA, also known as the Tipra Motha Party, is currently the second largest party in the Tripura Assembly with 13 MLAs. Its entry into this new political front is being seen as a significant development because of its strong support base among indigenous communities in Tripura. Pradyot has been one of the strongest voices pushing for a united North East political identity and has reportedly discussed this idea with leaders across different states over the last several months. 
Leaders from Assam and Nagaland are also expected to join this platform. From Assam, Daniel Langthasa, a popular youth leader from Dima Hasao and the son of late Congress leader Nindu Langthasa, will come on board. Nindu Langthasa was killed by militants belonging to the Jewel Gorlosa faction of the Dima Halam Daogah in June 2007. From Nagaland, former BJP national spokesperson and former MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon is also likely to join. Kikon resigned from the BJP in August this year.
Sources said the idea behind forming a pan-North East political party is to contest Lok Sabha seats and also build a strong presence in state assemblies across the region. “One voice from the North East in Parliament is very important in today’s time. A common platform will help in raising issues of the region more strongly,” a senior political source familiar with the discussions said. It is believed that Conrad Sangma welcomed the idea and found it necessary to ensure that the region does not speak in different voices when it comes to national issues.
Recently, former Manipur Lok Sabha MP Dr. Lorho S. Pfoze joined the NPP on September 11 after quitting the Naga People’s Front (NPF), showing that political realignments in the region are already underway.
