Kohima: The Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Thursday said that its proposed merger with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) comes without any preconditions, describing it as a mutual step towards consolidating regional politics in Nagaland.
Addressing reporters after a meeting of the central office bearers at the party’s Kohima headquarters, NPF secretary general and MLA Achumbemo Kikon said discussions between the two parties are ongoing with the shared goal of building a stronger regional platform for the Naga people.
The NDPP is scheduled to hold its general convention on October 18, while the NPF will convene its own on October 21, which coincides with the party’s 63rd foundation day.
Both events will be held in Kohima and are expected to formalise the coming together of the two regional forces.
Kikon assured that the NPF’s legacy will be safeguarded, confirming a consensus to retain the party’s name and its ‘cock’ symbol.
He described the emblem as central to the NPF’s identity as the oldest regional party in the Northeast and the second oldest in India.
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Despite being reduced to just two MLAs in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly, Kikon underlined that the NPF has continued to play a significant role, with a presence in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and active engagement in key Naga issues, including opposition to fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.
At Thursday’s meeting, the NPF passed four resolutions, reiterating its earlier stand taken at the central executive committee meeting on September 6, and lauding party president Apong Pongener for his readiness to step aside to enable new leadership.
Kikon added that the composition of office bearers in the merged entity would be decided through consensus.
