Party says Conrad Sangma personally raised concerns with Amit Shah and Kiren Rijiju, dismisses criticism as politically motivated
Shillong, July 29: The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) on Wednesday strongly rejected allegations that it had remained silent on the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, asserting that it had been at the forefront of efforts to safeguard the interests of religious and minority institutions in the Northeast.
The party accused its political rivals of spreading “unverified” and “politically motivated” claims to score “cheap political points”, insisting that it was the only regional party to have raised the issue directly with the Union government.
The NPP said Meghalaya Chief Minister and party president Conrad K. Sangma led a multi-denominational delegation of church and community leaders to New Delhi earlier this month, where they met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and expressed concern over Section 16A(5) and other provisions of the proposed legislation. The delegation urged the Centre to ensure that educational, healthcare and social welfare institutions run by charitable organisations were not adversely affected.
According to the party, Shah assured the delegation that extensive stakeholder consultations would be held.
The party also pointed out that Sangma, along with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), had earlier met Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju in April to seek legislative safeguards for charitable organisations operating in remote and tribal areas.
Describing recent criticism as “false narratives”, the NPP said it believes in “constructive, high-level engagement” rather than “empty rhetoric or performative shouting.” It maintained that it would continue to speak up whenever issues affecting the rights, interests and well-being of citizens and social institutions arise.
 on Wednesday strongly rejected allegations that it had remained silent on the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, asserting that it had been at the forefront of efforts to safeguard the interests of religious and minority institutions in the Northeast.){kind=link}