NPP national vice president Vadeo calls move ‘poaching’, questions whether 2023 electoral mandate can be transferred through party switch
The National People’s Party (NPP) has rejected the merger of its five legislators with the Naga People’s Front (NPF), describing the move as “poaching” and stating that it will examine the notification and pursue remedies available under the Constitution, the Tenth Schedule and the law.
In a statement issued on October 1, NPP national vice president Vevoyi D Vadeo disputed the use of the term “merger”, arguing that the five legislators were elected in 2023 on NPP tickets with the support of NPP workers and voters.
“This was not a merger. A merger is a decision of two parties,” Vadeo said, asserting that the electoral mandate obtained by the legislators remained with the voters who elected them on NPP tickets.
The statement came after the five NPP MLAs joined the NPF on October 1 and submitted documents relating to the merger to the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The Assembly Secretariat subsequently notified the merger of the five NPP members with the NPF with effect from October 1, 2026, under Paragraph 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and the Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 2019.
The five legislators are A. Nyamnyei Konyak of 48-Moka AC, Nuklutoshi of 22-Arkakong AC, C. Kipili Sangtam of 59-Seyochung-Sitimi AC, Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso of 9-Kohima Town AC and Benei M. Lamthiu of 57-Thonoknyu AC.
Vadeo questioned the necessity of the move, pointing out that the NPF already held a majority in the 60-member Assembly. He said the addition of five legislators changes the numerical strength of the NPF bench but, in his view, does not address issues of governance or the Naga political question.
He also criticised what he described as the use of the “opposition-less” Assembly to facilitate movement of legislators between parties. Vadeo alleged that the latest development raised concerns for other parties and legislators in the House, including the BJP, LJP (Ram Vilas), JD(U) and Independents.
READ | Nagaland: All five NPP MLAs merge with NPF
The NPP leader further referred to an Association for Democratic Reforms analysis on political realignments, claiming that Nagaland had recorded a high number of sitting legislators changing political affiliation and that the NPF was the largest recipient in the analysis. Vadeo argued that the latest movement should be viewed separately from the earlier NDPP-NPF realignment rather than as justification for it.
The NPF had formally absorbed 31 NDPP legislators in October 2025, with the Assembly notifying that merger under Paragraph 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule with effect from October 18, 2025.
Vadeo maintained that the latest development should not be reduced to an increase in the number of legislators on the NPF side, arguing that the five members were elected under another party’s banner in the 2023 Assembly election.
“The seat is not theirs to gift, and it is not the NPF’s to seize,” he said, adding that the legislators would have to answer to the electorate that voted for them as NPP representatives.
The NPP national vice president said the party was examining the October 1 notification and would use “every remedy” available under the Constitution, the Tenth Schedule and the law.
The NPF, meanwhile, has maintained that the five legislators voluntarily merged with the party, citing their confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister and NPF president Neiphiu Rio and their decision to subscribe to the regional party’s ideology and policies.
With the merger formally notified, the NPF’s strength in the 60-member Assembly has risen to 39, while the NPP has no remaining MLA in the House.
