Kohima: The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has appointed senior leader K.G. Kenye as the Chief Whip of its legislature party in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, ahead of the upcoming budget session.
The decision places the seasoned politician in charge of coordinating the party’s legislative strategy in the House.
The appointment order was issued by the party president under Article V, Clause 10 of the NPF constitution. Kenye, who currently holds the portfolios of Power and Parliamentary Affairs in the Nagaland government, assumed his new responsibility with immediate effect.
As Chief Whip, Kenye will play a crucial role in ensuring party discipline, managing floor coordination, and steering the NPF’s legislative agenda during Assembly proceedings.
The first phase of the Nagaland Assembly’s budget session is set to commence on March 3 and will continue until March 12, comprising five sittings. The session will open with an address by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
The second phase will primarily focus on the presentation and discussion of the state budget for the 2026–27 financial year. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is scheduled to table the budget, after which members will deliberate on its proposals. The detailed schedule for this phase is expected to be announced on the concluding day of the first phase.
During the initial phase, legislators will take up starred and unstarred questions, debates on matters of public importance, and the laying of annual administrative and committee reports. The House will also consider government and private members’ bills, resolutions, and the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s address.
In the subsequent phase, discussions will extend to reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), review of the state’s revenue and expenditure patterns, and supplementary demands related to the 2025–26 fiscal year.
Key issues likely to figure in the session include deliberations on the Frontier Nagaland Territory Authority (FNTA) agreement and demands from sections of residents in Kohima and Dimapur seeking relaxation of the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, 1989, within their jurisdictions.
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The session assumes added significance as it will be the first Assembly meeting following the signing of the FNTA agreement between the Centre, the state government, and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation. It is also the first budget session since the merger of the NPF with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).
