- The Election Commission of India on June 7, 2019 declared the National People’s Party (NPP) led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma as a national party.
- It is the first from the Northeast to be declared as the National Party of India.
About National People’s Party
- NPP was formed by the father of Conrad K. Sangma and former Speaker Purno A. Sangma in 2013.
- The NPP is recognised as a State party in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland.
- The party has five MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh and four in Manipur.
- It had two MLAs in Nagaland until they merged with the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party earlier this year.
About the National Party Status
- According to The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, a political party can be recognised as a national party if it fulfils any of the following conditions.
- Its candidates secure at least 6% of votes polled in four or more states in Lok Sabha or assembly elections,
- It has at least four members in the Lok Sabha.
- It has at least 2% of the total Lok Sabha seats and its candidates come from not less than three states.
- It is recognised as a state party in at least four states.
- Being a national party entitles a party to a common and permanent symbol across states, and also space for a party office in Delhi and free airtime on public broadcasters during elections.
- India had seven national parties. Trinamool Congress, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, became the seventh in September 2016.
- A 15 March, 2019, notification by the Election Commission of India (ECI) lists seven national parties in India. They are : All IITC, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), BSP, CPI, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress (INC) and NCP.
