Amid growing political churn in the Northeast and renewed efforts at regional consolidation, Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) chief Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday indicated that sustained consultations are underway with several political leaders as part of the proposed “One North East” initiative, describing it as an ambitious and unprecedented attempt to bring diverse political forces onto a common platform.
Speaking to the media, Sangma underscored that the exercise is not a short-term political arrangement but a long-drawn process aimed at achieving what many parties have attempted — and failed — to accomplish over decades. He acknowledged the complexity of aligning varied political ideologies and concerns but maintained that the intent and direction of the initiative are clear.
“So, we have been consulting and talking to many of our leaders and, the process of many of them coming into the party and working together, and having some kind of a platform will happen. It is something that is very desirable, a lot of people have seen that there’s a very positive, I think to it. And for many many years and I should say decades, many political parties have tried to move on forward in that and it’s not been so easy. So, again it’s again part of one of the goals that we kind of set for ourselves, So we’re trying to achieve something that is never been done before, in one way.”
The Chief Minister candidly admitted that the proposed platform faces several challenges, particularly in reconciling differences among parties and leaders while ensuring uniformity in approach. He said these concerns have been part of detailed deliberations held over the past month and a half.
“So it’s it’s not very simple and there are obviously a lot of concerns and then how will we work in in one uniformity? What about different aspects of Parties and their concerns?”
Sangma revealed that extensive discussions have already taken place during the initial 45-day period outlined earlier, but refrained from disclosing specifics, stating that formal announcements are yet to be made.
“So all of this in the first 45 days as we had said, we have discussed this and we are moving forward. A lot of discussion has taken place, but it would not be appropriate for me to share that with all of you right now because it’s not been announced yet. So all I can tell you is that we are discussing with a lot of leaders and a lot of excitement is there and at the appropriate time we will take the decisions.”
When asked about a possible timeline for the initiative to take concrete shape, the NPP chief ruled out fixed deadlines, stressing that political alignment cannot be treated like a time-bound project.
“Asked by when likely, the NPP Chief said that is something that as I said, it’s not like a foundation for a particular project for particular project that we can simply say that it’s going to happen on 25th of January, this is a process of different political minds coming togather , it takes time it’s not that simple, so will will work towards it our intention are clear and we will work towards moving forward.”
The Chief Minister’s remarks come against the backdrop of a significant political development on November 4, when a coalition of prominent regional leaders unveiled an ambitious plan to forge a single political entity under the banner “One North East.” Termed by its proponents as a historic and collective initiative, the move aims to redraw the region’s fragmented political landscape by creating an indigenous political force that transcends state boundaries. The signatories to the declaration include Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP chief Conrad K. Sangma, TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Bikram Manikya Deb Barma, former Nagaland minister Mmhonlumo Kikon, and Assam’s Daniel Langthasa, founder of the People’s Party. As part of the roadmap, the leaders have agreed to constitute a committee tasked with deliberating on the structure, modalities and future course of the proposed political entity, with a 45-day timeframe set for submission of its report.
