Danggo back in NPP, to contest from Ranikor
Macdalyne Sawkmie Mawlong, Manstudy Nongkrem & others join party
Shillong, Feb 22: Former Assembly Speaker Martin M Danggo has rejoined the NPP on Tuesday.
Others who joined the NPP were KHADC MDC from Umsning Macdalyne Sawkmie Mawlong, former KHADC CEM from Langrin, Manstudy Nongrem, former JHADC CEM Hambertus Nongtdu, former MDC Thomas Nongtdu, former UDP Ri Bhoi vice president Reynold Kharkamni, Defender Pakem and Lawrence Nongrum among others.
Danggo and Macdalyne will contest from Ranikor and Nongpoh respectively.
They joined at the party office during a public meeting held in presence of its national president and chief minister Conrad K Sangma, state president and Rajya Sabha MP Dr WR Kharlukhi, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, cabinet minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and others.
Danggo, who had contested and won from Ranikor on a Congress ticket in 2018 resigned as MLA after three months to contest from the NPP after the government granted civil sub division status to Ranikor as demanded by him.
However, in the bypoll, he was defeated by the UDP candidate Pius Marwein.
Due to the humiliating defeat, he distanced himself from active politics and in February 2020 he had quit the NPP and speculation was rife that he would rejoin the Congress.
However, addressing the gathering, Danggo said two messengers, Gigur Myrthong MLA and former MLA Nihim D Shira sent by the Chief Minister met him on the need to rejoin the party.
” I was shocked as I thought that I resigned not to contest any further election. But considering the brotherly feeling of the CM, I came to Shillong and met him…yes I don’t have any grudge but is grateful for the civil sub-division. I had to consult the people as I wanted them to decide and for the last two years, consultation took place first with the leaders and later with people of all the polling booths and they wanted me to join the party and contest from NPP”, he said.
Danggo had first contested and won from Langrin on People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) ticket in the Assembly polls held in 1998.
Later, he joined the Congress and successfully contested from 2003 till 2018.
