Almost a month after political leaders from across the Northeast converged in New Delhi to unveil the ambitious One North East initiative, the regional political landscape is witnessing cautious optimism amid measured participation. While the initiative drew a major rally in Tripura, several prominent regional parties have yet to formally come on board, highlighting the complexities of regional realignments.
Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) National President Conrad K Sangma addressed the apparent lukewarm response, noting that political consolidation is often incremental. “It doesn’t mean that everybody will come on board in one go? It’s a long journey. It’s a long journey but we know that our intention is very clear and very focused and we want to serve the people,” Sangma said. He added, “Some have joined us… as they see the progress as they see the kind of focus that we work with, we are hopeful that more and more leaders and people in the parties will join us… it may take time, but we are okay with it. We’re not discouraged at all.”
Highlighting the strategic rationale behind One North East, Sangma said the platform aims to strengthen regional leverage through collective action. “We have always stressed that we believe that the northeast states, and communities must work together in the larger interest of the region… when we are united and present and united front. That’s the only way we are able to ensure that we are able to carry our message across and always serve people in a much, much marketable manner,” he said. Emphasizing its developmental agenda, he added, “We’re not here to be negative or to break anybody or to fight against anybody. We are only here to serve the people of our communities, and of the states and the region.”
In a direct counter to Congress’ charges, Sangma asserted that the Opposition is grappling with internal discord. “Congress is completely divided within. You have differences, they may be sitting on the same table and talking but internally they have their own plans separately, we are in quite touch with many of them to be very Frank,” he said, rejecting MPCC chief Vincent H Pala’s allegation that the One North East initiative was a covert saffron-backed effort to fragment anti-BJP votes. Responding to Pala’s claim that the platform — reportedly involving NPP, TIPRA Motha, and other regional outfits — was an “RSS–BJP plan,” Sangma retorted, “To be very, very blunt, nobody needs to work to divide them they’re already divided,” while underscoring that the NPP’s focus is on unity rather than confrontation. Sangma dismissed the Congress chief’s remarks as “quite unfortunate,” asserting, “That is their personal view in opinion, for us as a party, We are very clear, We have set it for very openly that we are not sure to fight against anybody. Neither are we here to oppose anybody, We are here from a positive perspective to unify and send a message of unity for the region as a whole.”
The Northeast’s political corridors had been rife with speculation over whether the initiative would herald a new regional front or an entirely new political entity. Clarity emerged only after leaders from eight northeastern states met quietly at New Delhi’s Constitution Club in early November, formalizing the collaborative banner One North East. The founding signatories include Conrad K Sangma, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma of TIPRA Motha, Mmhonlumo Kikon from Nagaland, and Daniel Langthasa of People’s Party Assam. A committee has been mandated to finalize the structure and modalities of the proposed entity within 45 days — signaling a potentially transformative shift in the region’s political equation.
