DIMAPUR, JANUARY 17 (MExN): The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) today announced that Member to the Lok Sabha, Neiphiu Rio has “formally joined” the party, and would lead it in the forthcoming Nagaland State assembly polls.
Rio also submitted his resignation from the Naga People’s Front (NPF) today in a letter to the party President.
This comes only 2 weeks after the MP had in a press statement said that he “totally disassociates” from the NDPP. Rio had in his earlier statement said about the NDPP that “as a fledgling political party, I can only wish them well.” He had also affirmed it as his “natural choice to remain with the NPF to strengthen the party and serve the people.”
However, today the NDPP in a press note from its president Chingwang Konyak stated that senior NDPP leaders including the president; working president, Alemtemshi Jamir and others met the Lok Sabha MP at the latter's Dimapur residence.
“NDPP appealed to the Honorable MP to formally join the NDPP and lead the party in the forthcoming general elections. Rio welcomed the appeal of the NDPP and formally accepted the invitation while thanking the NDPP leadership and all its rank and file for the appeal and invitation to join the party,” the party informed.
It further reported that in his interactions with the NDPP leaders, the MP “acknowledged the fact that the NDPP was formed to bring positive change in Naga society and implement the vision that ensures transparency in governance, implement progressive development and combat corruption.”
The NDPP, meanwhile, appealed to all sections of the people to “come and join hands under the banner of the party and collectively work for our common endeavors of bringing lasting peace, positive change and inclusive development in our society.”
