Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio along with Minister KG Kenye call on NPF supremo Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu at his residence in Kohima on October 14. (Image Courtesy: @Neiphiu_Rio/X)
CM Neiphiu Rio meets DrShurhozelie Liezietsu; NPF officially joins PDA
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 14
A major process of political re-alignment in Nagaland gained sweeping momentum on Tuesday with the Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio visiting NPF supremo and former President Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu to seek blessings what was described as the “upcoming political journey ahead.”
Meanwhile, the NPF also issued a notification of formally joining the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) of Nagaland, perhaps setting the stage imminent merger of Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the Naga People's Front.
CM Rio, accompanied by Power and Parliamentary Affairs Minister KG Kenve, described the visit as an opportunity to pay respects to a senior political leader and take blessings.
Posting on X, he said: "I visited Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu, to pay my respects to my elder and seek his support and blessings for the upcoming political journey ahead. I thank him for his blessings and guidance, and wish him good health and long life.”
The visit holds significances as it can be construed as a reconciliation between two individuals, how have more or less, steered the party over the years, but have drifted apart a decade earlier.
Meanwhile, in a notification on October 14, MLA & NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon, based on the party’s constitution, announced the promulgation of an ordinance stating that the NPF shall officially join the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) Government under the leadership of CM Rio.
“This Ordinance comes into effect from the forenoon of 14th October 2025,” it added.
Likewise, the State DIPR informed of a PDA meeting on at 2PM on October 17 at the the Chief Minister’s Residential Complex (CMRC), Kohima.
Apart from the existing partner Bharatiya Janata Party, the attendee included the NPF representatives, signalling a formalisation of the alliance.
Currently, the NDPP commands 32 seats in Nagaland’s 60-member assembly, with ally BJP holding 12. The NPF has two MLAs.
Open overtures, warm response
The sweeping development on October 14 followed weeks of preliminary feelers and overtures exchanged between the NDPP and NPF.
In the public domain, the NPF’s Central Executive Council (CEC) on September 6, 2025, made a formal appeal to CM Rio to return to the party he had joined as Youth President of the Kohima Division and later served as Youth Wing President during the erstwhile United Democratic Front (UDF) days. The UDF was a precursor to the NPF.
The CEC noted that Rio remains a senior regionalist and an integral figure for the party, while also extending an invitation to other regional-minded former legislators and parliamentarians to rejoin, signalling a broader effort to consolidate political forces in the state.
In response, the NDPP officially stated on September 12 that it welcomed the NPF’s overture but emphasised that any decision would follow the constitutional and democratic procedures laid down in its party rules.
The party’s Central Executive Board (CEB) meeting in Kohima noted that a final decision on the merger would be taken during a General Convention, scheduled for October 18 in Kohima.
Later, on September 18, NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon said the NDPP had set no pre-conditions regarding a possible merger with the NPF.
He also added that the NPF will hold its General Convention on October 21 in Kohima, coinciding with party’s 63rd Foundation Day.
With the NDPP’s convention concluded by then, the ‘homecoming’ of CM Rio and other party members could be effected on the occasion.
Symbolic, triumphant ‘homecomig’
The merger, if effected, could be seen as a symbolic and triumphant homecoming for CM Rio, returning to a party he once led to three consecutive victories in the state assembly before unceremoniously exiting.
He steered the NPF to electoral wins in 2003, 2008, and 2013, leaving the party in 2017 following his expulsion for alleged anti-party activities.
CM Rio also represented Nagaland in the Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2018.
He formally joined the NDPP in 2018, led the state government since then, and successfully secured re-election in 2023, further consolidating his political influence in the state.
Timeline of Key Events
1974: Neiphiu Rio joins NPF as Youth President of Kohima Division (UDF).
2002: Rio leaves Congress and joins NPF after differences with then CM SC Jamir.
2003, 2008, 2013: Rio-led NPF wins Nagaland Assembly elections.
2017-18: Rio suspended from NPF; joins NDPP
2018 & 2023: NDPP under Rio wins consecutive assembly elections
Sept. 6, 2025: NPF CEC appeals to Rio to return and invites former members to rejoin.
Sept. 12, 2025: NDPP welcomes NPF offer, decides to follow constitutional procedures.
Oct. 14, 2025: Rio meets Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu; NPF formally joins PDA.
Oct. 15, 2025: PDA meeting to be convened, including NPF representatives.
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