Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 5
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) is reportedly in an upbeat mood as reports of the Neiphiu Rio-led Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) merging with the former made the rounds. As reported by one of the local dailies, the NDPP has been in talks with the NPF for a potential merging of the two regional parties.
The two parties owe their existence to the incumbent Nagaland Chief Minister. The NPF though has the distinction of being a regional party with footprints in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, besides its base in Nagaland.
While the rumoured merging of the People's Democratic Alliance partners has come as a surprise, sources familiar with the development revealed that discussions have been on for quite some time, especially among the top echelons.
Which side put up the proposal remained unclear, but the sources said that the NPF camp, except veteran regionalist and founding NPF member, Shürhozelie Liezietsu, are keen to the idea of the NDPP joining the NPF en masse, with the current ruling setup intact.
If the proposed subsuming of the NDPP plays out, one of the two sitting NPF legislators would get a Ministerial berth, the sources added.
“The NPF door is open,” said one of the sources.
However, in the NDPP camp, not all are reportedly keen to the idea of relinquishing the party nomenclature and merging with the NPF.
The NPF’s Central Executive Council is scheduled to assemble on September 6 in Kohima, where its Arunachal and Manipur units will attend.
Party President, Apong Pongener and Presidents of the Arunachal and Manipur units will address the conclave. The President of the Manipur unit is also a member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
MLAs Kuzholuzo Nienu and Achumbemo Kikon are also listed in the programme schedule.
