7 Nationalist Congress Party MLAs in Nagaland merge with NDP
7 Nationalist Congress Party MLAs in Nagaland merge with NDPP
In a major political development, all seven legislators of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Nagaland officially merged with the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)
NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer and Minister KG Kenye with
the seven NCP legislators following their merger with NDPP on Saturday evening.
KOHIMA — In a major political development, all
seven legislators of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Nagaland
officially merged with the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party
(NDPP) on Saturday.
Following this alteration to Nagaland’s political landscape,
the NDPP's strength has now increased to 32 members in the 60-member Nagaland
Legislative Assembly (NLA).
The announcement was made by Minister for Power and
Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye, during a late-evening press briefing held in
Kohima.
According to Kenye, there were nine different political
parties in the NLA, with the NCP constituting the third-largest among them.
He informed that the legislators submitted their merger
application to the NLA Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer, who formally accepted the
request after completing necessary procedural requirements.
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Kenye stated that this move will help strengthen the
leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and enhance governance. “We hope to
serve the people better with this stronger team under the leadership of our
Chief Minister,” he added.
When asked if the merger would affect future seat-sharing
arrangements with coalition partner BJP, Kenye clarified that there is no
permanent ratio. “We have no permanent ratio as an arrangement with our
coalition partners. That is never the case in any part of our country. But the
arrangement is effective for this duration of five years,” he maintained.
On speculations about a possible reshuffle in the Cabinet,
Kenye responded that such matters fall under the chief minister’s prerogative.
Why the switch?
Kenye offered an insight into the rationale behind the NCP
legislators' move. He said that being part of a national party like the NCP
comes with broad, pan-India agendas that often do not align with Nagaland's
specific needs.
“The state has unique and sensitive issues. While the NCP is
a national party, its framework may not allow its members to focus solely on
state-centric concerns. That made it difficult for them to operate effectively
in the interest of Nagaland,” Kenye explained.
He maintained that the NDPP, though nationally aware, is
rooted in regional interests, making it a better fit for the legislators.
“Joining NDPP allows them to function with more cohesion and resonance with
public sentiment,” he said, crediting the move largely to the leadership appeal
of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
Official recognition
The NLA Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer, confirmed the merger
through an official order issued under Paragraph 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule of
the Constitution and the Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly
(Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 2019.
According to the order, all seven members of the NCP
Legislature Party—Namri Nchang, Picto Shohe, Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe, Y Mankhao
Konyak, A Pongshi Phom, P Longon, and S Toiho Yeptho—constituted 100% of the
party’s legislative strength. This meets the constitutional requirement for a
valid merger without attracting anti-defection provisions.
“I, therefore, in
accordance with the provision of Paragraph 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule of the
Constitution of India and in consonance with the Members of Nagaland Legislative
Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 2019, hereby declare
the merger of all the 7 (seven) hon'ble members as mentioned above with the
Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) with effect from 31.05.2025,”
the order read.
Accordingly, he directed the secretary-in-charge of the NLA
to publish a revised summary of party positions as per Rule 4(3) of the
Defection Rules.
