NDPP to hold general convention in Kohima as merger talks with NPF gain traction, signalling key political shifts.
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KOHIMA — The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is set to hold its 6th general convention on October 18 at the Capital Cultural Hall in Kohima.
The event comes amid growing discussions among political circles and the public about a possible merger of the two regional parties—the NDPP and the Naga People’s Front (NPF).
It may be mentioned that the NDPP was formed in May 2017 following a breakaway from the NPF and contested the 2018 General Election in pre-poll alliance with the BJP, through a seat-sharing arrangement of 40:20.
The NDPP won 18 seats and, along with its PDA coalition partners, staked claim to form the government despite the NPF emerging as the single largest party in the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA).
Also read: NDPP-NPF to continue alliance with BJP post merger — Achumbemo Kikon
In the 2023 General Election, the NDPP and BJP retained the same seat-sharing formula. The globe party (NDPP’s symbol) emerged as the single largest party, winning 25 seats, while its ally secured 12, forming the ruling government once again.
Earlier this year, seven Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislators merged with the NDPP, increasing its strength to 32 members in the Assembly.
The NDPP is headed by Chingwang Konyak as president, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio serving as the party leader in the NLA. Since its inception, the party has successfully contested two general elections, two Lok Sabha elections, and several bye-elections, except for the 2024 Lok Sabha contest.
The NDPP’s journey was not without challenges. In 2017, an activist, Zeneisiile Ate Loucü, filed a complaint seeking the party’s deregistration, alleging false affidavits were filed during its registration with the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Loucü later petitioned the Delhi High Court in May 2018 for the same. However, following the petitioner’s demise and the family’s decision not to pursue the case, the court dismissed the matter on October 8, 2025—effectively lifting the legal encumbrance on the NDPP.
Amid ongoing talks of an NDPP–NPF merger, this development is seen as paving the way forward. At its central executive board (CEB) meeting on September 12 in Kohima, the NDPP deliberated on the resolutions adopted by the NPF’s central executive council (CEC), which had welcomed former comrades to return to the fold in the larger interest of the Naga people.
The NPF had also extended a formal appeal to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to rejoin and assume leadership of the party once again.
During its September 12 CEB meeting, the NDPP confirmed that its parliamentary board had welcomed the NPF’s proposal but stated that, as a registered and recognised party, it must follow all constitutional and democratic procedures as per its own constitution.
The party also unanimously authorised the president and the chief minister to take necessary decisions regarding the general convention, following which the October 18 convention was convened.
It may be noted that the NDPP held its 5th general convention on February 27, 2025, in Kohima, where Chingwang Konyak and Abu Metha were re-elected as president and secretary general, respectively. The 6th general convention, however, is seen as significant in light of current political developments—possibly marking the end of the breakaway party ahead of a merger.
Meanwhile, the NPF has scheduled its general convention for October 21, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima.