NPP State unit pays tribute to PA Sangma
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 04 2020: The National People's Party (NPP), Manipur State unit fondly remembered former NPP National president and Lok Sabha Speaker late Purno Agitok Sangma on the occasion of his 4th death anniversary.

The death anniversary observation held at the party's office located at Ghari here on Wednesday was marked by offering of floral tributes to the photo of late PA Sangma by members of the party led by Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar, Minister of Health & Family Welfare L Jayantakumar Singh and NPP State president Thangminlien Kipgen.

Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar said that though NPP originated from Manipur and many politicians have served as Ministers under the party, NPP began to lose its ground in the State.

It was during this period that PA Sangma came to Manipur and approached the leaders of the party to adopt and nurture NPP.

NPP State unit pays tribute to PA Sangma

His request was accepted by the then party leaders and gradually NPP emerged as one of the leading parties in the entire North East region.

NPP is the only regional party in the North East which has been given the status of a National party.

"Therefore all credit goes to late PA Sangma for reviving the party and bringing it up to this level.

Without his support and care, the party would not have developed upto the level we see it today," he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister claimed that Manipur is the State next to Meghalaya where NPP has good prospects.

"We have good prospects in the next Assembly elections.

However, for this to happen, all party workers need to get together and work for the welfare of the party.

As party members, we need to understand that there are also many other politicians from various other political parties who are knocking at NPP's door to enter the party, given the opportunity".

While stating that the party will be mobilized from mid-2020, he added that there is no dearth of people wanting to contest elections under the party tickets.

Speaking as guest of honour during the function, L Jayantakumar said that BJP-led Governments of both the Centre and the State are being supported by NPP, and both the parties respect each other under certain terms and conditions.

NPP is slowly growing in the entire North East and now it has been recognized as a National party by the Election Commission of India.

As a political party in Manipur, NPP is just in the beginning of its venture, but gradually it will survive and flourish, Jayantakumar said adding that for the party to perform well in all aspects, all workers of the party need to work together for its welfare.

Recalling the life of PA Sangma, L Jayantakumar said that he was a true leader who had a dream for his people.

He had a dream which was to reach out to everyone.

He left no stone unturned to ensure that peoples' expectations were met.

When he spoke he spoke with vision.

He was a leader who truly understood the value of education.

He had the vision of bringing the North East in the mainstream, Jayantakumar remarked.

Delivering the presidential speech, NPP Manipur president Thangminlien Kipgen said that Manipur cannot stand alone, nor does Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram or any other State of the North East.

Therefore, the whole North East need to unite and that is the reason why NPP has come into existence.

Thangminlien Kipgen said, "With sincerity, we need to develop a new North East without which there can be no success".

Earlier while giving the welcome and keynote address, NPP Manipur state vice president Sushil Huidrom said that the 4th death anniversary of PA Sangma was earlier planned to be observed in a grand manner in Tura, Meghalaya.

However, due to the prevailing situation in Tura, the plan was dropped and all State units were informed to observe the day on lesser scales in their respective States.

The function was also attended by NPP Manipur unit working president Ch Ajang Khongsai, general secretary Kh Loken, NPPYF president Russel Heisnam and party presidents from different districts of the State.

On the occasion of the 4th death anniversary of PA Sangma, the Youth Front of NPP, Manipur unit distributed edibles and educational materials to the inmates of Tera Orphan Home, Tera and Manipur Mahila Kalyan Samiti Children Home, Dewlahland.