21 NPF MLAs switch parties in Nagaland; Pre-poll alliance with BJP to continue

Kohima: In a major political development in Nagaland, 21 Naga People’s Front (NPF) MLA’s members have merged with Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on Friday evening.

The new development in the opposition-less State of Nagaland was announced during a press briefing by Merentoshi, NDPP spokesperson at Hotel Vivor, Kohima.

In order to strengthen the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and his government, 21 MLA’s of NPF including former member of Parliament K. G. Kenye has merged with the NDPP party officially this afternoon, said Merentoshi.

He further added in the briefing,”We hope, through this the government, the leadership will be strengthened, also it will help towards strengthening and resolving in bringing towards early settlement of Naga political issues”.

Merentoshi further said “Opposition-less government does not mean a party-less government, the political parties are there, however, the NPF party MLAs probably might have come over to our side (NDPP) so that we can be under one umbrella, under the same party, not just an opposition-less government.”.

On the BJP pre-poll alliance, he said the pre-poll alliance with BJP will continue and it will. He also clarified that every political development happening is done under the knowledge of BJP leaders.

“NDPP assured that the pre-poll alliance with BJP will continue as promised. The alliance is going on very well”, Merentoshi added.

“Without doubt, we have formed an opposition-less government, but it is not a party-less government. The UDA was formed for the Naga issue, but as different political parties, every party looks at different things. However, both the leaders of the party probably felt that being under one political party would have further strengthened and pushed for the Naga issue,” the spokesperson for NDPP said.