In a significant political development in India’s northeast, a new regional political platform called One North East (ONE) was announced on Tuesday by a coalition of prominent northeastern leaders. The platform, which aims to provide a collective voice for the region’s indigenous communities, has elicited a mixed response from political parties in Assam, which is gearing up for assembly elections early next year.

The launch was led by Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad K. Sangma, Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA Motha) founder Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, former Nagaland minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon, and People’s Party of Assam founder Daniel Langthasa. The leaders announced the formation of a nine-member committee that will draft the constitution, philosophy, flag, symbol, and other organizational details of ONE over the next 45 days.

According to the leaders, ONE aims to consolidate the political voice of tribal and indigenous communities in the northeast within the national political framework. The platform is being presented as a mechanism to safeguard the interests, cultural identity, and rights of these communities while promoting a united regional agenda.

Reactions from Political Observers and Opposition Parties

The announcement has raised eyebrows in Assam’s political circles, with some observers seeing it as a response to dissatisfaction among tribal leaders within the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). Debabrata Saikia, Congress leader of opposition in the Assam assembly, said, “The formation of the new entity shows that tribal leaders of the region are unhappy with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the North East Democratic Alliance, which is headed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.”

Saikia further highlighted that both NPP, which leads the coalition government in Meghalaya (with BJP as a junior partner), and TIPRA Motha, which participates in the BJP-led government in Tripura, are still formally part of NEDA. However, the creation of ONE could indicate a growing trust deficit between the BJP and tribal leaders in the region.

“The aggressive Hindutva agenda pursued by the Assam government, with legislations curbing cow slaughter and traditional medicinal practices, has distanced tribal communities in the northeast, where beef consumption and indigenous healing practices are part of daily life,” Saikia added. According to him, ONE could be a platform for addressing these and other issues, including the protection of local culture, identity, languages, and concerns over illegal immigration from Bangladesh.

Other regional parties have expressed caution regarding the platform’s long-term political intentions. Lurinjyoti Gogoi, president of the Assam Jatiya Parishad, remarked, “It’s too early to comment on what’s the stated or hidden purpose of the new platform. They are still partners with BJP in governments and haven’t distanced themselves from the national party. We haven’t been approached by either NPP or TIPRA Motha to join them.”

BJP Response

The BJP, which remains the dominant national party in the northeast, has largely downplayed the significance of ONE. According to Roopam Goswami, BJP’s chief spokesperson in Assam, “BJP isn’t concerned with the development. They might have some concerns which they want to raise together in one voice. Both NPP and TIPRA Motha are our partners in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre and are expected to remain in future.”

The party emphasized that the formation of ONE is unlikely to affect its electoral prospects in Assam, given the BJP’s entrenched organizational network and strong presence in the region. The party’s confidence stems from the ongoing alliance with NPP and TIPRA Motha at both the state and central levels, suggesting that ONE may operate more as a consultative platform rather than a direct political competitor, at least initially.

Objectives and Committee Formation

The nine-member committee announced by the leaders of ONE will be tasked with formulating the constitution, philosophy, flag, symbol, and operational mechanisms for the new platform within the next 45 days. This committee will reportedly play a central role in shaping ONE’s agenda, identifying priority issues for the region, and building consensus among tribal and indigenous groups across the northeast.

Among the immediate objectives of ONE are:

1. Safeguarding Tribal Interests: Ensuring the protection of tribal rights, culture, and identity across northeastern states.
2. Cultural and Language Preservation: Promoting and preserving indigenous languages, traditional knowledge, and cultural practices.
3. Political Consolidation: Forming a united political voice for indigenous communities within the national political framework to better negotiate regional concerns with the central government.
4. Addressing Migration Issues: Highlighting the challenges posed by illegal immigration, particularly from neighboring Bangladesh, which has been a longstanding concern in Assam and other northeastern states.

Mixed Reactions in the Northeast

While leaders of ONE have portrayed it as a platform to unify indigenous communities, political observers have pointed out that its immediate impact on electoral politics remains uncertain. Some see it as a strategic move to counteract growing dissatisfaction with NEDA among tribal leaders, while others view it as a potential vehicle for regional parties to assert their independence from national alliances.

The launch has generated both optimism and skepticism. Supporters argue that ONE could empower tribal voices and address long-standing regional grievances, providing an alternative to national parties perceived as focused on broader political agendas. Critics, however, caution that the platform’s effectiveness will depend on its ability to translate tribal unity into political influence without alienating existing allies in NEDA.

Conclusion

The launch of One North East (ONE) marks a significant moment in the politics of India’s northeastern states. While its leaders have emphasized the platform’s focus on indigenous rights, cultural preservation, and regional development, the initiative has drawn varied responses from political parties and observers in Assam.

For the BJP, which continues to enjoy strong influence in the region, the platform is seen as a minor concern, given its ongoing alliances with NPP and TIPRA Motha. However, for opposition parties and independent regional actors, ONE may represent a fresh avenue for articulating the aspirations of tribal and indigenous communities, potentially reshaping political equations ahead of Assam’s upcoming elections.

As the nine-member committee begins its work over the next 45 days, the northeast will watch closely to see whether ONE evolves into a major political force or remains primarily a consultative and symbolic platform representing regional interests.