Minister for Rural Development and SIRD and Minister-in-charge of Mokokchung district, Metsübo Jamir, on Friday said the Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) remains a separate political party with its own identity, manifesto and organisational structure despite Nagaland’s present “oppositionless government”.
Addressing the NPF Youth Wing, Mokokchung Division’s Leadership Meet 2026 at the NPF Division Office here, Jamir said the current political arrangement should be understood in the context of the “Unity for Solution” initiative, under which all 60 MLAs have come together to project unity among legislators and contribute towards peace and a solution to the Naga political issue.
He clarified that the arrangement did not mean the NPF had stopped existing as a distinct political party. While the NPF would work with the BJP in government functioning and governance for better administration, he maintained that the two parties had not merged as political parties.
“We have our own party manifesto. We will work on that,” Jamir said, while calling upon party workers to strengthen the NPF and stressing that strengthening the PDA was also important.
The Minister also called upon young party workers to develop independent leadership rather than remain dependent on senior leaders. He said leadership should be demonstrated through individual capability, initiative and the ability to serve, urging the youth to show how they could lead from their own perspective.
“You are the foundation of this party. We are just the roof. If the foundation is weak, we all go down,” he said, while stressing the importance of the NPF’s grassroots organisational structure and coordination between the unit, Assembly Constituency, division and central levels.
The leadership meet also witnessed the oath-taking and induction of 23 youth leaders from seven Assembly Constituencies under the Mokokchung Division. The inductees comprised four men and 19 women.
NPF Mokokchung Division President Meren Yaden said the leadership meet was necessary to strengthen coordination among new entrants and existing members following the recent mergers between NPF and NDPP. He also stressed the need for youth to remain active in the party beyond election periods.
Meanwhile, former MLA and CEC member Imnatiba called for the establishment of a Nagaland Pioneer and Heritage Centre in Mokokchung, saying it could facilitate study tours and promote greater understanding of the state’s history and heritage.
The program was held under the theme, “Empowering Youth Voices for a Transformative Future.” The NPF youth song, “NPF Lanur Ola” (Voices of the NPF Youths), was also released during the program. The second session focused on media awareness, including media literacy, cyber laws and the use of media for political leadership in Nagaland.
MT