UKHRUL: Five National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs in Nagaland have merged with the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF), taking the NPF’s strength in the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly to 39.
The five legislators appeared before the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and submitted documents related to the merger, according to reports from Akashvani News Kohima and the NPF.
The merger took place in Dimapur on October 1 in the presence of chief minister and NPF president Neiphiu Rio, NPF adviser and secretary general Achumbemo Kikon and other senior party leaders. The five MLAs subsequently appeared before the Assembly Speaker and submitted the relevant documents.
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The legislators are A. Nyamnyei Konyak of Moka, Nuklutoshi of Arkakong, C. Kipili Sangtam of Seyochung-Sitimi, Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso of Kohima Town and Benei M. Lamthiu of Thonoknyu.
The NPF said the five legislators had joined the party voluntarily, citing their faith in Rio’s leadership and their acceptance of the party’s ideology and policies. Rio welcomed their decision, saying their entry would strengthen the regional party.
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat has formally recognised the merger 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 move, however, has drawn criticism from the NPP. NPP national vice-president Vevoyi D. Vadeo questioned the use of the term “merger”, arguing that the five legislators had been elected on NPP tickets in the 2023 Assembly election.
Speaking to Hub news, NPP national vice-president Vevoyi D. Vadeo described the move as “poaching” and said the NPP was examining the Assembly notification and would pursue remedies available under the law, the Tenth Schedule and the Constitution.
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