The move to merge the NDPP with the Naga People's Front (NPF) appears to fit Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s long-term strategy of Naga unity and regional expansion.
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NDPP leader and Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio surprised many when he hinted at merging the party with the Naga People's Front (NPF). The NDPP already holds 32 of the 60 Assembly seats, comfortably above the majority threshold, and faces no significant political threat.
NDPP’s strength rose from 25 to 32 MLAs after seven NCP legislators merged with it in May. Prior to that, the NDPP–BJP alliance already held 37 seats. In the 2023 elections, under a 40:20 seat-sharing formula, NDPP won 25 seats and BJP 12, securing a comfortable majority.
Currently, the NDPP and BJP are in power with ease. All other MLAs—NPP, LJP (RV), RPI (Athalwale), NPF, JD(U), and independents—extend support to the ruling alliance, resulting in an Opposition-less government since 2023.
The NPF now has only two MLAs in Nagaland. A merger would increase the combined strength to 34, but more importantly, NDPP MLAs would take over the NPF’s organisational and political structure, effectively continuing under a new banner, yet NPF.
To understand Rio’s strategy, it helps to look back at his political career. He first became Chief Minister in 2003, leading the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government, and continued in office through 2008 and 2013. In 2009, under Rio’s guidance, the NPF changed its name from Nagaland People's Front to Naga People's Front, signaling its intent to expand beyond Nagaland.
The party formally launched its units in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh on April 1, 2011, targeting Naga-inhabited hill districts. Rio campaigned extensively in Manipur, and the NPF won four seats in the 2012 elections—its first success outside Nagaland. However, Congress, under O. Ibobi Singh, secured a majority, leaving NPF in the opposition.
In 2014, Rio shifted to national politics as an NPF Member of Parliament, and the NPF-led DAN government in Nagaland became unstable. Leadership crises and dissent led to the fall of T.R. Zeliang’s government in early 2017, after which Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu became Chief Minister. During this period, the NPF also secured four seats in the 2017 Manipur elections, joining the BJP-led coalition, with one NPF MLA becoming a Cabinet Minister.
Rio returned to state politics in 2018 under the newly formed NDPP. The party entered a 40:20 seat-sharing deal with the BJP for Nagaland elections, winning 18 seats. With support from non-NPF legislators and later NPF backing, Rio’s NDPP–BJP government became Opposition-less. In Manipur, NPF sought Rio’s help in the 2022 elections, winning five seats and joining the BJP-led coalition, with two NPF MLAs becoming Cabinet Ministers.
Given NPF’s electoral base in Manipur and the state currently under President’s Rule, Rio may see the present moment as ideal for a merger. Though NPF has only two MLAs in Nagaland, its influence in Manipur could extend Rio’s political reach into other Naga-inhabited regions, including Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, while securing his position as Chief Minister under an NPF-led or NPF–BJP-led PDA government.
Since 2003, Rio’s governments have played a consistent role in facilitating the Naga peace process. Initiatives such as the Political Affairs Committee, the Joint Legislators’ Forum, and Assembly resolutions reflect his commitment to a lasting solution. Even as an NPF MP in Delhi, he focused on advancing these efforts.
Rio’s political maneuvering—rebranding NPF for wider reach, maintaining Opposition-less governments, and building cross-state influence—demonstrates a long-term strategy of Naga unity and regional expansion. The NDPP–NPF merger, despite NPF’s small size in Nagaland, fits squarely into this vision.
The timing is also notable. The NSCN (IM) General Secretary, Th. Muivah, plans a visit to his native village in Manipur—a politically significant moment that coincides with the merger discussions. A merger now could send a strong signal across Naga areas, reaffirming Rio’s dual role as both political leader and peace facilitator.
Hopefully, the long-awaited solution to the Naga political issue will usher in a peaceful and inclusive future for all communities in the region.
Oken Jeet Sandham