7 Nationalist Congress Party MLAs in Nagaland merge with NDPP

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• NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer and Minister KG Kenye with the seven NCP legislators following their merger with NDPP on Saturday evening.

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• 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.
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• 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).
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• The announcement was made by Minister for Power and Parliamentary Affairs, KG Kenye, during a late-evening press briefing held in Kohima.
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• According to Kenye, there were nine different political parties in the NLA, with the NCP constituting the third-largest among them.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• On speculations about a possible reshuffle in the Cabinet, Kenye responded that such matters fall under the chief minister’s prerogative.
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• Why the switch?
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• 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.
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• “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.
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• 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.
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• Official recognition
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• “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.
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• 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.

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