Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio; DY CM Y Patton; BJP Nagaland President Benjamin Yepthomi; NDPP Secretary General Abu Metha; NDPP Senior Vice President Rusemtong Longkume; NPF Secretary General and MLA Achumbemo Kikon; and NPF President Apong Pongener during the PDA meeting in Kohima on October 15. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, October 15 (MExN): The Naga People's Front (NPF) was officially accepted as a full-fledged partner of the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) of Nagaland on October 15.
The formal recognition was accorded during a meeting of the PDA, presided over by Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio, held at the Chief Minister's Residential Complex, Kohima.
“The House warmly welcomed the decision of the Naga People's Front (NPF) to officially join the PDA and resolved to accept the NPF as a full-fledged partner of the Alliance,” stated a DIPR report on the proceedings of the meeting.
Other members of the PDA alliance, including Deputy Chief Minister and Leader of the BJP Legislature Party Y Patton; BJP Nagaland President Benjamin Yepthomi; NDPP Secretary General Abu Metha; NDPP Senior Vice President Rusemtong Longkumer; NPF Secretary General and MLA Achumbemo Kikon; and NPF President Apong Pongener attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, in another resolution, the House expressed its appreciation to the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the continued support and commitment towards the all-round development of Nagaland.
It further called upon the Government of India and the negotiating parties in the Indo-Naga peace process to undertake sincere measures to carry forward the ongoing dialogue to its logical conclusion.
The settlement must be negotiated in a manner that is honourable, inclusive, and acceptable to the people, the House further resolved.
The House also extended its appreciation to the central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its guidance, support, and positive decision in endorsing the inclusion of the NPF as a partner of the PDA.
Apart from joining the PDA, the NPF has officially requested Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio, its former leader, to return and lead the party after merging with the NDPP. The merger and ‘homecoming’ are most likely to be formalised next week.
With the addition of the NPF, the strength of the PDA in the 60-member State Assembly will rise to 46, comprising 32 NDPP, 12 BJP, and 2 NPF members.
