Kohima: In a significant political development, all seven Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs in Nagaland officially merged with the ruling National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on May 31, granting the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio-led government an unassailable absolute majority in the 60-member state assembly. This strategic absorption pushes the NDPP’s legislative strength from 25 to 32, solidifying its hold on power.
The NCP’s Nagaland unit had previously aligned itself with the Ajit Pawar faction following the vertical split within the national party. Despite emerging as the third-largest party in the 2023 assembly elections, trailing only the NDPP and its ally BJP which secured 12 seats, the party’s entire legislative contingent has now integrated into the ruling front.
According to an order issued by Speaker Sharingain Longkumer, the seven MLAs – Namri Nchang (Tening), Picto Shohe (Atoizu), Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe (Wokha Town), Y Mankhao Konyak (Mon Town), A Pongshi Phom (Longleng), P Longon (Noklak), and S Toiho Yeptho (Suruhoto) – formally presented themselves and submitted individual letters affirming their decision to merge with the NDPP.
The Speaker’s office confirmed that the merger meticulously satisfied the constitutional stipulations outlined in the Tenth Schedule. Furthermore, in adherence to the Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 2019, the Speaker granted his approval to the merger and instructed the assembly secretariat to promptly update all relevant party affiliation records.
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