NPCC leaders with former NPP executives and youth leaders at
Congress Bhavan, Kohima, on Monday (EM image).
KOHIMA — Youth leaders and executives of the
National People’s Party (NPP) in Nagaland officially joined the Nagaland
Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on Monday.
A total of 15 former youth leaders of the NPP and party
executives, who resigned from the party between January 5 and 16, were welcomed
by the NPCC at Congress Bhavan, Kohima, on Monday.
Among those who left the NPP and joined the NPCC were Bitong
Sangtam, former vice president; L Hiketo Shohe, former general secretary; and
Illina Shohe, former mahila state executive member; Toli S Achumi, former DMC
candidate; and Heto Achumi, former vice president of the National People’s
Youth Front (NPYF).
MP Lok Sabha and NPCC president S Supongmeren Jamir
announced their joining of the Congress during a press conference at Congress
Bhavan in Kohima. The MP said they had met with Girish Raya Chodankar, the All
India Congress Committee in-charge of Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur, and Nagaland,
and discussed their aspirations and decision to join the Congress.
Former vice president of the NPP, Bitong Sangtam, stated
that their decision to join the Congress party was not driven by hatred towards
the NPP but by the belief that they could see a better future ahead.
He added that their decision to resign from the NPP and join
the Congress was not a sudden one. They had remained with the NPP and waited,
but felt that little progress was being made. They chose the NPCC because they
expect growth.
L Hiketo Shohe, former general secretary of the NPP, said
they joined the Congress party because they believed in its ethos and
principles and hoped that by doing so, they could achieve greater heights.
Shohe, who had been associated with the NPP in Nagaland for
five years, said they had faced numerous issues and realised the need to select
leaders who can speak on behalf of the people. He stated that it is only
through the platform of the Congress party that the needs of the people can be
addressed and appealed to the public to elect leaders who will fight for them
in Parliament.
He said that he is not concerned about the NPCC's lack of an
MLA but rather sees it as an opportunity, believing that the Congress will
perform well in the upcoming election.
Heto Achumi, former vice president of the NPYF, also noted
that they held no grudges against their NPP colleagues but believed the
objectives and approach of the Congress party were the right ones.
The other former NPP members who joined the NPCC on Monday
include Bipin Kumar Sha, former secretary; Akito Chishi, former secretary;
Khekai Zhimo, former media secretary to GS (Org.); Jaser Meru, former GS
(Org.); Justin Lotha, former GS admin.; Akahito Chishi, former secretary
(Org.); Kavito Swu, former secretary admin; Amento Kiba, former secretary;
Imtimeren Imchen, former member; and Sarah Zhimo.
