Politics in Nagaland has always carried a distinct flavour of fluidity, alliances, and realignments. Yet, through the ebbs and flows of shifting loyalties, one figure has stood unwavering at the centre-Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio. The latest political development where NDPP is veering towards a merger with the Naga People’s Front (NPF), is more than a homecoming. It is a calculated move that has the potential to reshape Nagaland’s political landscape for years to come. It may be recalled that in 2018, Rio was compelled to leave the NPF under the leadership of Dr. Shürhozelie and joined the Democratic Progressive Party, which was later rebranded as the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party(NDPP). That year, under Dr Rio, the NDPP in its maiden electoral fray won only 18 seats, but with pre-poll ally BJP securing 12 and support from independents and smaller parties, Rio once again formed the government for the fourth time. Meanwhile, the NPF, though the single largest party with 26 seats, found itself unable to muster a majority. By the 2023 elections, the NDPP had strengthened its position. Ahead of the election, 21 NPF legislators defected to its fold , leaving the NPF weakened. In 2023, the NDPP won 25 seats, while the once-dominant NPF collapsed to just two. The two surviving NPF legislators eventually lent issue-based support to the ruling coalition, cementing an opposition-less government. Now, in September 2025, the political cycle appears to have come full circle. The NDPP is moving towards a merger with the NPF, the very party from which it originated. For Rio, this is more than a tactical adjustment-it is a return to the political entity he co-founded in 2002, which he led to successive victories in 2003, 2008, and 2013. Even in 2018, when he contested under a new banner, his ability to craft coalitions kept him firmly in power. This then leads to the question as to why Rio seeks a return to the NPF fold despite enjoying a stable majority as chief minister? Analysts point to several reasons. First, Rio’s long association with the NPF, which under his leadership extended its reach into Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam, makes the party more than just a political platform-it is also part of his legacy. Second, the arithmetic after a merger is compelling: with 34 MLAs under his command, and continued support from the BJP, independents, and smaller allies, Rio’s dominance will be consolidated further. Beyond numbers, however, the move may be strategic in light of larger issues confronting Nagaland. The state stands at a sensitive juncture, with discussions on the Naga political settlement and the Centre’s proposed resolution on the Frontier Nagaland Territory yet to be finalised. A united regional front under Rio’s leadership could allow Nagaland to negotiate from a position of strength, ensuring that solutions reflect the aspirations of its people. As Nagaland nears the 2028 assembly elections, the merger signals both continuity and change. Continuity, because Rio remains the pivotal figure in state politics; change, because the re-emergence of a unified regional party may reshape the balance between regional assertion and national influence. The years ahead will test whether or not this consolidation serves to deliver meaningful political, social and economic transformation.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025