Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has been unanimously elected as the leader of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) Legislature Party, marking a major political realignment in the state.
The move follows the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party’s (NDPP) formal decision on Saturday to merge with the NPF.
The merger was endorsed during a meeting of NPF legislators held at Rio’s official residence, soon after the NDPP adopted its resolution to join the regional party.
Announcing the development on social media, Rio said he was “humbled” by the trust placed in him.
“Along with members of the NPF Legislature Party, we met Hon’ble Speaker Sharingain Longkumer and submitted the necessary documents. I am grateful to my colleagues and the party organisations for reposing faith in my leadership and to the Almighty for His guidance and blessings,” he wrote.
Party sources said NPF president Apong Pongener and secretary general Achumbemo Kikon formally handed over the merger documents to Speaker Longkumer.
With the merger, the NPF’s strength in the 60-member House has risen from two to 34 members.
The party will officially welcome its new members and celebrate its 63rd foundation day at a general convention in Kohima on October 21.
Rio’s association with the NPF dates back to 2002, when he resigned as home minister in S.C. Jamir’s Congress government and formed the Nagaland People’s Council (NPC), later renamed as the NPF.
Under his leadership, the party won three consecutive assembly elections — in 2003, 2008, and 2013 — before he moved to national politics as a Lok Sabha MP in 2014.
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In 2017, following internal differences, Rio parted ways with the NPF to establish the NDPP, which went on to form the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government with the BJP in 2018.
The alliance returned to power in 2023 with broad-based support from other parties, leaving the 14th Nagaland Assembly without an opposition after the NPF extended unconditional backing to Rio’s government.
The merger effectively reunites Rio with his former party and cements his leadership ahead of the NPF’s milestone celebration next week.
