Shillong, Feb. 4: The nascent National People’s Party (NPP) today made the release of its first election manifesto a musical affair by doling out an audio CD along with its poll promises.
The Purno Sangma-led party, which will make its electoral debut in Meghalaya on February 23, released the CD, created in both Khasi and Garo languages, to popularise itself among voters.
One number on the disc — Ka Kot — is on the NPP symbol — the book. Ka Kot tells people that the book is the guiding force for all thinkers and statesmen across the globe, and through which, they pass the knowledge to others.
In short, it says: “The book gives hope and will redeem the people from darkness, and it will lead to a better tomorrow... our state requires statesmen who will sacrifice and lead us into a better future...”
NPP leader Conrad K. Sangma released the manifesto as well as the CD, which also has numbers focussing on youths and development.
Other political parties are sure to follow suit, though songs and dances in huge public gatherings have always been a regular feature of poll campaigns.
In its manifesto, the NPP vowed to move for a 10 per cent reservation in central government jobs for people of the Northeast and to generate employment opportunities, especially in the service sector.
It also promised to economically empower the citizens of the state residing along the international border, while stating that it would try to resolve the vexed inter-state boundary dispute with Assam.
On corruption, NPP promised that it would ensure a fully functional vigilance commission besides appointing a Lokayukta for the state. It also mooted establishment of a research institute on traditional medicine and traditional healthcare.
Besides these, the document lists a host of other issues, with a promise: if voted to power, a working plan to implement the manifesto would be adopted.
| 
