Political conundrum as reverse merger speculated

After joining NDPP on April 29, some of the 21 NPF legislators are reportedly mulling on reverse thrust or going back to where they came from– NPF.
According to reliable sources within NPF, the rebels are unhappy with the positions they got after joining NDPP and what has also ticked their minds is whether they are assured of ticket if NDPP and BJP maintain the 40:20 seat sharing formula of 2018.
When contacted, a senior NPF functionary admitted to Nagaland Post that there were talks of some of the 21 rejoining NPF but re-admission would not be lock stock but examined case-wise and based on certain criteria.
Since the NLA speaker had accepted the merger of the 21 NPF legislators, any move to rejoin NPF would require that they comprise of at least 2/3rd the total strength of the party in order to avert disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Anti Defection law.
Since the then 21 NPF members are now NDPP legislators, they would at least require 28 (out of 42) to cause a split and join NPF.
The political shenanigans also indicate that there is a possibility of some in NDPP joining with NPF. This has only heightened speculations that this has led some of the 21 former NPF legislators wanting to be the early birds. It was reported, that talks are being held unofficially on likely reverse merger of NDPP and NPF.
It may be recalled that the NPF Working Committee on January 31 this year resolved to invite chief minister Neiphiu Rio with all NDPP legislators to join hands in order to effectively address the issues confronting the people at the present juncture.
This was among the three-point resolution adopted at the NPF Working Committee meeting, jointly signed by NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and secretary general Achumbemo Kikon. Though most of the NDPP leaders are not in favour of this idea, some have admitted that talks were at some higher personal level only.
The current political scenario in Nagaland revolves around chief minister Neiphiu Rio who is at the core and to some extent his long time colleague since Congress to NPF days, T.R. Zeliang also having some role, as also veteran Naga politician and NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu. Rio was the chief architect in formation of NPF party in 2002 with the “Cock’ symbol. Rio joined Naga People’s Council (NPC) after quitting Congress in 2002 and renamed NPC as NPF with retention of ‘Cock’ symbol.
Rio is the one who played a major role in forming NPF. All these have been on the air for sometime but as the state draws near to the 2023 election and with Rio seeking his fifth consecutive innings (thrice as NPF leader and in 2018 as NDPP leader), the million dollar question is whether there is/are any challenger(s)?