Shillong, June 29: Former Dadenggre legislator James Sangma has strongly criticized a section of media for disseminating what he calls ‘blatant misinformation’ regarding the National People’s Party (NPP) and his family’s stance on the Gambegre bye-election.
Sangma’s remarks, posted on the social media platform X, accused certain media outlets, of publishing unfounded reports without verifying their sources.
“It is shameful to see how news media organizations, some of which are nearly 80 years old and led by senior journalists, can publish articles on their front page and social media accounts without the slightest clarification on where they are getting their sources from or how they are privy to such information,” the former Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister said while referring to news articles on the alleged division in the NPP and the family regarding the allotment of the ticket for the Gambegre bye-election.
Sangma further emphasized that he had not been approached by any media for his perspective on the matter, adding, “To clarify and settle the matter once and for all: I have had no intention of contesting in the Gambegre bye-polls. During party meetings and internal communication, I have clarified this stance as well. I seriously urge such media organizations to check their sources before trying to insinuate and label people and organizations according to their own convenience which, to say the least, smacks of mala fide intentions.”
Concurrently, Conrad K Sangma, National President of the NPP and Chief Minister, refuted claims of internal division within the party or his family over the upcoming bye-election. “There is no division in the party or division in the family,” Conrad stated during a Friday press briefing. Reports had suggested that James Sangma was unhappy with the decision to allot the party ticket to CM’s wife, Mehtab Chandee Sangma, a claim that Conrad denied.
Conrad detailed the party’s consultative process, noting that discussions had been held with all potential candidates. He also emphasized that all party leaders, including those whose names are doing the round, have confirmed that they are with the party and abide by whatever final decision the party takes.
He said the party is currently collecting ground reports from the block, district and regional levels and the name of the candidate will only be finalized after analysing the information received. “Let me again clarify that there is no question of any kind of division. We are very much clear that we will work together as a family and more importantly as a political party, and all the names that are doing the rounds will work together to fight this particular election,” he said.
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