Just ahead of next year’s assembly polls in Nagaland, as many as 21 MLAs of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) have decided to join Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).
Nagaland Assembly speaker Sharingain Longkumer, in an order, said he had received the claim of merger of 21 members of the NPF Legislature Party with the NDPP on Friday.
The 21 NPF legislators who have decided to join the NDPP are NPF Legislature Party leader TR Zeliang, Moatoshi Longkumer, Azheto Zhimomi, Keniezhakho Nakhro, Y Vikheho Swu, Chotisuh Sazo, Yitachu, Amenba Yaden, Dr Imtiwapang Aier, Imkong L Imchen, Er. Picto Shohe, Dr Chumben Murry , YM Yollow, CL John, N Thongwang Konyak, Eshak Konyak, EE Pangteang, BS Ngalang Phom, Muthingnyuba Sangtam, Toyang Chang and Kejong Chang.
NPF president Shurhozelie Liezietsu had recently declared that NPF will contest 2023 Assembly election on its own.
Speaker Longkumer, in the order issued under Para 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule read with the Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification of Ground of Defection) Rules, 2019, said these 21 members belonging to the NPF, led by Zeliang, have in their individual letters as well as in the common resolution they adopted stated that they have merged with the NDPP on April 29.
He said they also made requests to him to carry out the necessary changes in the relevant records as per the rules.
Longkumer also said, a letter dated April 29 has also been received from the NDPP president Chingwang Konyak accepting the merger of the 21 NPF MLAs.
“The above 21 members have also presented themselves before me today, 29.04.2022,” the Speaker said.
Considering the circumstances, Longkumer said he has directed Nagaland Legislative Assembly commissioner and secretary to publish the revised summary of information as per the rules and correct the party affiliation of these 21 members of the Assembly in the relevant records.
NPF had 25 MLAs and with this, the strength of NDPP has gone up to 42 in the 60 member assembly.
As per the order issued by the Nagaland Speaker, the list of 21 MLAs excluded four NPF MLAs including senior politician Kuzholuzo Nienu, Khriehu Liezietsu, Ngangshi K Ao and Kezhiehyi Khalo.