Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 6
Naga People’s Front (NPF) President Apong Pongener today said he would offer to resign from the presidency to pave the way for Dr Rio to lead the Party and steer the party-led government in Nagaland.
“Today, I fervently appeal to all former comrades, particularly Dr. Neiphiu Rio, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, to return to the NPF fold,” said Pongener in his presidential address during NPF Central Executive Council meeting here today at NPF Central Office, Kohima. His return would significantly bolster the Party's efforts to assert our political and historical rights and uphold our shared vision, he said.
He recalled that to strengthen the party, the Central Office Bearers, in their meeting on February 12, 2025 (Resolution No. 2), passed a resolution inviting former NPF members to reconsider their decisions and rejoin the Party.
He said that the NPF, established in 1963, is the first regional political party dedicated to preserving and promoting the Naga identity while advancing the social, cultural, and political aspirations of the Naga people, as envisioned by founders and enshrined in the Party Constitution.
For 62 years, through challenges and transformations, including changes in its nomenclature to reflect the needs of the times, the NPF has remained steadfast, Pongener said. It is the only political party bearing the name "Naga People," tirelessly working for the security and welfare of the Nagas and other tribal communities and Indigenous peoples in the region, he said.
He said that since its inception, the NPF has played a pivotal role in safeguarding the rights of the Naga people and the indigenous communities of Northeast India.
He said that the NPF remains deeply committed to advocating for an honourable, acceptable, and inclusive solution to the protracted Naga political issue, which is central to our political ideology.
Divine intervention: Azo
NPF Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said that among all parties the NPF has championed the cause of the Naga political issue “The time will come. We'll be famous. NPF cannot fade away. Even though we may have only two MLAs or even though we may not have even one MLA, this party will continue to live on,” he said.
He described the process for bringing two regional parties together as “divine intervention.” Azo said that the Chief Minister, who is a pure regionalist, has a soft heart as well as the NPF belongs to him. “This is his original home,” Azo said.
“The NDPP gave a press statement yesterday. It's very clear. They didn't disagree. They agreed to everything. The only thing they said was there is a process and the parties have to take a call. Before we take a call, all the speculations should be made to rest. They gave a very diplomatic press release. Today, we also must be very diplomatic in our utterances,” Azo said. He informed that the NDPP will reportedly have their CEB meeting on Monday.
Meanwhile, NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon said that the decision of the Central Executive Council (CEC) is final. He termed the resolution as “a huge giant step forward to bring our friends together once again.” “We are ever ready to pay for any new arrangement within the party, to affect any new dispensation, within the party, or organisation,” Kikon said.
He hoped that the outcome of CEC meeting and the resolution adopted unanimously will yield a positive result.
Awangbow Newmai, MLA & President, NPF Manipur State Unit extended full support to the CEC NPF. “Every Naga by blood wants NPF to be strong and lead the people,” he said. Newmai stated that the party is about to resurface as one of the strongest party in the region again. “We are about to witness the biggest surprise in the political landscape in the country.”
Happa Taidong, President, NPF Arunachal State Unit said that he have been trying his best to keep the party strong for the Nagas in the state.
