In a landmark initiative, influential political leaders from the Northeast region have come together to launch a new political platform called "One North East" (ONE). The announcement was made on Tuesday in New Delhi, with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, former BJP spokesperson and Nagaland minister Mmhonlumo Kikon, and People’s Party of Assam founder Daniel Langthasa spearheading the move. The leaders formed a nine-member committee tasked with framing the platform’s constitution, philosophy, symbol, and flag within 45 days.

The platform aims to forge a unified regional voice to represent the Northeast’s unique cultural identity, social concerns, and political priorities within the national framework. Leaders emphasized that while they continue to be part of existing alliances—such as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—they felt the need for a singular entity that champions indigenous issues like protection of culture, language, and opposition to illegal immigration.

However, the announcement has elicited mixed reactions, particularly in Assam, where state politics are gearing up for elections early next year. Congress leader Debabrata Saikia interpreted the platform’s formation as a signal of dissatisfaction among tribal leaders with the BJP-led Assam government and the Northeast Democratic Alliance. He cited controversial legislations related to cow slaughter and traditional medicinal practices as reasons for alienation among tribal communities.

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Meanwhile, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi expressed skepticism about the platform’s intentions, noting no formal approach to join and emphasizing the early stage of the initiative. The BJP, Assam’s ruling party, downplayed the platform’s impact, asserting that NPP and TIPRA Motha remain its allies and that the new front would have limited influence on the state’s electoral dynamics.

As the Northeast prepares to vote, the creation of ONE marks a significant political development that could reshape alliances and voting patterns by offering a consolidated indigenous voice. The coming weeks will determine whether this new coalition can bridge the region’s internal diversities and effectively challenge existing political structures.

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