Correspondent
In a major political development, perhaps the first such in Nagaland political history, 21 out of the 25 NPF legislators, led by its legislature party leader and former chief minister T.R. Zeliang, merged with the NDPP. (See box)
NPF has 25 legislators in the 60-member assembly. The four NPF members whose names were not included or chose to stay with the party include– Kuzholuzo (Azo) Neinu, Dr. Ngangshi K Ao, Khriehu Liezietsu and Kezhienyi Khalo.
The development comes a day after NPF party president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu on Wednesday at Pfutseromi village declared that NPF would fight the forthcoming 2023 assembly polls on its own.
Dr. Shürhozelie’s declaration also came close on the heels after NDPP and BJP agreed to continue their pre-poll alliance in 2023, on a seat sharing formula of 40 (NDPP) and 20 (BJP).
Former Rajya Sabha member of NPF and its erstwhile secretary general K.G. Kenye was also among the NPF members who decided to merge/join the NDPP.
The strength of the NDPP has gone up to 42 in the 60-member house while the NPF has been reduced to four MLAs.
Earlier in the day, the 21 NPF legislators met NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer and submitted their individual letters as well as the common resolution adopted, declaring to merge with the NDPP.
After considering the circumstances, Sharingain, through an order, directed the commissioner & secretary NLA to publish the revised summary of information as per the Rules and correct the party affiliation of the 21 MLAs in the relevant records.
Later the merger was confirmed by NDPP spokesperson Merentoshi Jamir, at Hotel Vivor Kohima Friday evening.
Addressing the media, Merentoshi said the merger was done to strengthen the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and his government. He also exuded confidence that the merger will also strengthen the effort to bring the Naga Political issue to a logical conclusion.
Merentoshi welcomed the 21 MLAs and their decision to merge with NDPP had opened the window for anyone willing to join NDPP in future.
To another query, Merentoshi reiterated that the current UDA government (NDPP, NPF and BJP) was comfortable. He said though UDA was an opposition-less party, it did not mean that it was a party-less government and therefore, NPF legislators joined NDPP as they wanted to remain under one umbrella.
Merentoshi also said the pre-poll alliance with BJP was strong and NDPP will not break the alliance. He said changes that are taking place at the moment were done with the knowledge of the BJP leadership and said pre-poll alliance will continue.
He also said NDPP did not feel there was any threat since the alliance was going well and as per the pre-poll alliance agreement.
Asked as to what difference it made for the merger since all remained since UDA is an opposition-less government, Merentoshi said there was no doubt that an opposition-less government was formed but political parties may have viewed it differently because of which the leaders might have felt the need to come together under one party to give a push to the Naga issue.
Meanwhile, planning & coordination and parliamentary affairs minister Neiba Kronu asserted that despite the merger of 21 NPF MLAs with NDPP, the opposition-less (UDA) government will continue. He said it was up to the legislators of political parties whether to merge or not. Even though some NPF remained with it, he said NPF will still remain as part of UDA. He said the house speaker Sharingain and NDPP president Chingwang Konyak have also agreed. “We are to strengthen each other as there is need for one strong regional and national political party to work together” he said.
