North-East netas unite to forge new political front

Shillong: Meghalaya CM and National People's Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma Tuesday led a coalition of northeastern politicians in announcing the formation of a united political platform to represent the region's interests at the national level.Joined by Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma, former BJP national spokesperson and Nagaland ex-minister Mmhonlumo Kikon and People's Party Dima Hasao founder Daniel Langthasa of Assam, Sangma unveiled the new alliance under the banner "One North East".Both NPP and Tipra Motha are part of NDA, with Deb Barma's party being a partner in BJP-led govt in Tripura. The politicians didn't clarify if the new front would be aligned with NDA, stay non-aligned but work with BJP-led alliance, or steer clear of it.They released a joint statement, declaring that the initiative marked "a collective and historic announcement" by younger politicians of the region seeking to speak with one voice. "...the coming together of various voices of our region to form a united, singular political entity that truly represents the aspirations of our people," the statement read. The group said the entity would work under a shared vision for the region's future, promising to carry forward common ideals and priorities transcending party lines and state boundaries.