Shillong, March 25 National People's Party (NPP) supremo and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on Wednesday that his party is working to expand its base in neighboring Assam, identifying specific constituencies where it has established long-term relationships with local leaders.
The NPP has fielded candidates in three constituencies for the elections to the 126-member Assam assembly.
"Our party has always aimed to expand its base in different parts of the Northeast. Assam is a state where we have not previously expanded, but we have identified certain constituencies where we have been in contact with leaders for a long time," Sangma told reporters.
He said the party's decision to field candidates in Assam is based on these sustained engagements and should be seen as part of a broader, long-term political strategy.
Sangma emphasized that the NPP's entry into Assam is not limited to immediate electoral gains but reflects a continued commitment to strengthen its presence in the state.
"Let us not look at a political journey solely from an electoral perspective. For us, it is a process and a commitment that we are making. We are starting our commitment towards the state of Assam and will continue to move forward," he said.
Expressing optimism about the party's prospects, Sangma said the NPP hopes to achieve electoral success in the state.
"We hope that we will be able to make an impact in this election in Assam," he added.
The NPP, which has a significant presence in Meghalaya, has been looking to expand its footprint in other parts of the Northeast as part of its regional growth strategy, party leaders said.