Kohima, Oct 1: All five MLAs of the National People’s Party joined the Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Thursday, taking the strength of the ruling party in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly to 39, according to a statement by the House secretariat on Thursday.
The MLAs joined the ruling party at Dimapur in the presence of NPF president and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, party secretary general Achumbemo Kikon and other senior leaders, the ruling outfit said in a late-night statement.
The revised party-affiliation statement from the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat said National People’s Party (NPP) state president and Moka MLA A Nyamnyei Konyak, Arkakong MLA Nuklutoshi, Seyochung-Sitimi MLA C Kipili Sangtam, Kohima Town MLA Tseilhoutuo Rhutso and Thonoknyu MLA Benei M Lamthiu have joined the NPF.
All five had furnished information claiming merger with the NPF under relevant sections of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, with the date of merger recorded as October 1, said the Assembly bulletin appended by its Secretary, Khruohituonuo Rio.
The move marks another significant realignment in Nagaland’s ruling political landscape, with the NPF having already absorbed the bulk of the ruling establishment following the merger of the NDPP Legislature Party last year.
Welcoming the NPP MLAs into the party fold, Rio said their decision to join the NPF represents the aspirations of the Naga people, and it would further strengthen the party.
Besides the NPF’s 39 MLAs following the realignment, the Nagaland Assembly has 12 legislators of the BJP, two of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), two of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), one of Janata Dal (United), and four Independents. (PTI)
