The Rising People’s Party (RPP), a regional political party that entered Nagaland’s political scene in 2021 on a platform of transparency and clean governance, is likely to merge with the Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Saturday, according to local media reports.
The merger program is expected to take place in Kohima, bringing an end to the RPP’s five-year journey as an independent political party.
Reports said the move follows growing disillusionment within the party over what its leaders viewed as inadequate public support despite campaigning on issues of transparency, accountability and political reform.
Headed by Joel Naga, the RPP was launched in July 2021 with the motto, “For Freedom and Democracy.”
The party gained statewide attention in 2022 through its 980-km Walk to Save Nagaland, a 34-day march across 19 districts and regions to campaign against corruption, advocate for clean elections and draw attention to the poor condition of foothill roads.
Despite its activism, the RPP struggled to translate its agenda into electoral success. In the 2023 Nagaland Assembly election, the party fielded only Joel Naga from the Tseminyu constituency, where he was defeated. During the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the party extended support to the Indian National Congress.
If the merger proceeds as reported, the RPP will become the latest regional political party to be absorbed into the NPF, further reshaping Nagaland’s regional political landscape.