Merger documents submitted to NLA Speaker; move leaves NPP with no MLA in Assembly
All five elected members of the National People’s Party (NPP) in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly have merged with the Naga People’s Front (NPF), in a move that leaves the NPP without a legislator in the 60-member House.
The merger took place at Dimapur on Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister and NPF President Dr Neiphiu Rio, NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon and other senior party leaders.
The five MLAs later met the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and submitted documents pertaining to their merger, according to the NPF Press Bureau.
The legislators are A. Nyamnyei Konyak of 48 Moka Assembly Constituency, 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.
The five MLAs said they had voluntarily merged with the NPF, citing their faith in the leadership of Rio and their decision to subscribe to the ideology and policies of the regional party.
Welcoming the legislators, Rio said their joining the NPF was a welcome step and expressed confidence that their entry would further strengthen the party as a regional political force.
The development is significant for the NPP, which had five elected members in the present Assembly. With all five submitting merger documents to the Speaker, the party has no remaining elected member in the House, subject to formal recognition of the merger under the applicable provisions of the Tenth Schedule.
The NPF has not stated in its communiqué that the Speaker has formally recognised the merger.
