The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has officially merged with the Naga People’s Front (NPF), reuniting Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio with his original party and consolidating regional political power under a single banner.
The merger was formalized today when NPF President Apong Pongener and MLA & Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon submitted the necessary documents to Speaker Sharingain Longkumer. The Speaker acknowledged the merger with an official acceptance letter, completing a critical procedural step in the union.
Earlier in the day, the 6th General Convention of the NDPP was held at the Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima. Delegates representing all levels of the party discussed and deliberated NPF’s proposal to merge the two parties. After careful consideration and in line with Article X of the NDPP Constitution, the convention unanimously adopted resolutions welcoming the merger, calling it a strategic step toward a unified regional party that could advance the Naga cause and effectively represent the people. NDPP leaders praised the leadership of President Chingwang Konyak and Chief Minister Rio, endorsing their guidance to ensure a smooth transition.
Following the NDPP convention, the NPF Central Executive Council (CEC) convened an emergency meeting at the party headquarters in Kohima to ratify the merger. The session, attended by senior leaders from Nagaland and Manipur, including NPF President Pongener, Legislature Party Leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, and Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon, focused on procedural compliance and political strategy. NPF legislators emphasized the importance of joining the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government led by Rio to ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities.
Addressing the business session, Kikon clarified that the process of merger and adoption of resolutions was being undertaken in accordance with constitutional provisions and the norms of parliamentary democracy. He explained that once the NPF formally joined the government, it became an integral part of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
“If we don’t join the government officially, then we remain only as outside supporters. The NPF President has therefore issued an office memorandum joining the government to ensure a smooth transition of power,” he said.
Kikon informed that the earlier Central Office Bearers (COB) meeting had already adopted a resolution accepting the merger proposal of the NDPP with the NPF, but the CEC needed to ratify it as per the party constitution. “The powers of the COB are limited to emergency decisions, and therefore, this resolution must be approved by the CEC for it to take full effect,” he stated.
He further read out the resolutions adopted by the NDPP at its convention earlier in the morning, underscoring the shared intent of both parties to consolidate into a single unified regional political entity.
Outlining the next steps, Kikon announced that a follow-up CEC meeting would be convened on October 20 to formally ratify the resolution and complete procedural obligations before the party convention. “Unless this resolution is passed now and submitted to the Speaker for communication to the government, the process would be delayed until the next meeting. Hence, this emergency session was convened,” he said.
He emphasized that the merger initiative aimed to consolidate regional forces under one political platform in the greater interest of the Naga cause. “The formation of a unified regional party will bring stability and collective strength to pursue the aspirations of the Naga people,” Kikon remarked.
The Secretary General also highlighted that both political and legislative procedures were being synchronized to ensure a seamless transition, with necessary communications to be made to the Speaker and the Chief Minister’s Office.
The NPF Resolution Committee headed by Vice President Yangerlemba and comprising General Secretaries Diethoselhou Sachü, Tseibu Khusoh, Manpha Konyak, and H Zungkum Chang was constituted to draft and finalize the resolutions for adoption.
The CEC adopted resolutions endorsing the merger, appreciating NDPP leaders for their decision, recognizing NPF President Pongener for facilitating the transition, and welcoming Chief Minister Rio’s return to his original party. The council also reaffirmed its commitment to a timely, inclusive, and honourable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue.
The resolutions were recommended by a committee led by Vice President Lanukaba and supported by Tsumongo Ovung, Kruzakie Kelio, Khongjah Konyak, Toniho Sheqi, C. Khai Nyekha, and Khrielezo Bio.
JD(U) welcomes NPF-NDPP merger
Ar Jwenga Seb, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and President of the Janata Dal (United) Nagaland State Unit, today welcomed the merger of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), calling it a transformative moment for the state’s political landscape.
Speaking on the historic unification, Seb said the merger reinforces a collective commitment to lasting peace and development in Nagaland. “The merger of NPF and NDPP transcends political alignment—it embodies the shared vision of unity our region urgently needs,” he stated. He added that the step honors pioneers like Jayaprakash Narayan, whose dedication to peace laid the groundwork for the ceasefire between the Naga people and mainland India.
The JD(U) Nagaland unit, represented by a single MLA, operates within the opposition-less government led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of the NDPP-BJP alliance. Seb highlighted that the consensus-driven governance model, designed to expedite resolution of the protracted Indo-Naga political issue, gains renewed momentum with the merger of Nagaland’s two major regional parties.
“The Dr. Rio government’s opposition-less framework is a bold experiment in collaborative politics, singularly focused on delivering justice and closure to the Naga people,” Seb emphasized. “With NDPP and NPF merging alongside the BJP, we now possess an unparalleled regional coalition poised to accelerate the process of addressing Naga political aspirations. As part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and a stakeholder of the PDA government, the JD(U) pledges full support to this unified front.”
He further noted that the merger aligns with JD(U)’s core mission of fostering stability through inclusive dialogue and people-centric governance. “Unity is our strength. Together, NDPP, NPF, BJP, JD(U), and supporting parties can transform Nagaland’s aspirations into reality—ushering in an era of prosperity, reconciliation, and enduring peace,” Seb said.
Seb also urged civil society organizations, including TUN, CTC, ENPO, and others, to come together under a single apex body, strengthening efforts toward a Naga political solution. The JD(U) Nagaland unit reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative work within the alliance, ensuring that the opposition-less government fulfills its historic mandate: a final, honorable, and inclusive resolution to the Naga political issue.
Neiphiu Rio elected leader of NPF Legislature Party
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, now leader of the NPF Legislature Party (NPFLP) after his erstwhile NDPP merged with the NPF, has expressed gratitude to his colleagues and party organization for reposing faith in his leadership. “I’m humbled to be elected Leader of the NPF Legislature Party,” he posted on social media. He also added that he, along with the NPFLP, met the Speaker Sharingain Longkumer and submitted their documents.
“We have overcome great challenges and celebrated remarkable triumphs. Today, we honour not only our achievements but also the perseverance, resilience, and unity that continue to carry us forward,” he posted.
He also urged all party members to work with renewed dedication as one united family, “As we begin this new chapter.”
“As we merge our strengths and move forward as one, we write a new chapter in Nagaland’s political history – one of reconciliation, unity, and collective strength. Together, we shall work for a stronger, more prosperous future for our State and our people,” he added.
Before the merger, the NDPP already held 32 of the 60 Assembly seats, comfortably above the majority threshold. NDPP’s strength rose from 25 to 32 MLAs after seven NCP legislators merged with it in May. The NPF had only two MLAs. After the merger, the NPF now has a combined strength of 34.
