NDPP Spokesperson, Merentoshi Jamir during the press conference in Kohima on April 29. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | April 29
In a major political development, 21 members of the legislature party of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) merged with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on Friday.
The 21 NPF legislators include TR Zeliang, Moatoshi Longkumer, Azheto Zhimomi, Keneizhakho Nakhro, Y Vikheho Swu, Chotisuh Sazo, Yitachu, Amenba Yaden, Dr Imtiwapang Aier, Imkong L Imchen, Er Picto Shohe, Chumben Murry, YM Yollow, CL John, N Thongwang Konyak, Eshak Konyak, EE Pangteang, BS Nganlang Phom, Muthingnyuba Sangtam, Toyang Chang and Kejong Chang.
In a memo, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) stated that “a letter dated April 29, 2022 has also been received from the President of NDPP accepting the merger. The above 21 members have also presented themselves before me today, April 29, 2022.”
Along with these legislators, former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, KG Kenye has also joined the NDPP. Spokesperson for the ruling NDPP, Merentoshi R Jamir announced this during a press conference held at Hotel Vivor, Kohima on Friday evening.
“We would like to make a very big announcement for the people of Nagaland. In order to strengthen the leadership of the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio and the government, as of this afternoon, 21 NPF MLAs have merged with the NDPP party, officially since this afternoon”, he stated.
Along with them, he said, “our former Member of the Parliament, Rajya Sabha, KG Kenye has also come and joined the NDPP.” Through this development, he hope that “the government and the leadership will be strengthened and also help towards bringing about strengthening our resolve to bringing about an early settlement to the Naga issue.”
With the merger, out of the 25 NPF MLAs in the house of 60, only four NPF MLAs remain including Kuzholuzo Neinu, Khriehu Liezietsu, Ngangshi K Ao and Kezhienyi Khalo.
‘Opposition-less govt but not party-less’
On Nagaland’s opposition-less government, he however maintained that “we do have an opposition-less government yet the opposition-less government is not a party-less government.” Reiterating that the NPF legislators have joined NDPP to strengthen the leadership of the Chief Minister and bringing about an early settlement of the Naga issue, he stated that “probably they have come to our side so we can be under one umbrella and one political party.”
He further impressed upon that it is only logical that others should join the government of the day while adding that “we are very happy to welcome and our doors are open for anyone who wants to come and join.”
Pre-poll alliance with BJP continues
NDPP Spokesperson, Merentoshi R Jamir also placed on record that their pre-poll alliance with the BJP continues and “it will continue.” “What we have promised each other, we will not break that alliance and whatever decision is taken, is done under the knowledge of their leadership. We want to assure that our pre-poll alliance continues and it will continue to do so”, he stated.
It may be recalled that in September last year, NDPP, BJP, NPF and independent members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) unanimously resolved to adopt the nomenclature of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for the opposition-less government in Nagaland.
In this regard, he said that “though UDA has been formed for the Naga Issue, as political parties, we may look at things little differently be it the NPF, be it the NDPP or the BJP.” And therefore, he said, “probably our leaders felt that being under one political party, it would help to further strengthen and push for our Naga Issue.”
Minister and Government Spokesperson, Neiba Kronu also asserted that despite the merger of 21 NPF MLAs, the UDA, opposition-less government will continue. “As political parties, it is up to the legislators to merge or not. Even though they still remain in NPF, the UDA will continue. The Speaker and NDPP President has agreed to it. We are strengthening each other as there is need for one strong regional and national political party to work together”, he said.
