Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 19 (EMN): In a new development in state politics, Nagaland’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday merged with the Naga People’s Front (NPF).
“The AAP unanimously and willingly agreed to merge with the NPF after a thorough analysis and preparation towards working in unity for the growth of the state through the joint venture of two political parties,” said AAP Nagaland convener Dr. S Amos Longkumer during a “merger ceremony” held at the NPF central office in Kohima this morning.
Longkumer asserted that AAP members, with a clear intention and aspiration of building and strengthening the NPF towards working for a better Nagaland with core focus on anti-corruption, have decided to merge with the NPF. He stated that they also deeply felt the significance of preserving the NPF, ‘which is the only pioneer regional party in the state’, as it could cater to the needs of the Naga society under the leadership of Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu.
NPF president Liezietsu, while welcoming the AAP members to the NPF, stated it was a ‘historic occasion.’ Despite being a minor party, he said the AAP had proved its worth by remaining a ruling party in the national capital. He said the party had ‘survived all odds’ and remained strong because the people of the capital city Delhi took a common stand together. Liezietsu assured the new members that they would not regret their decision to join the NPF.
He also reminded that the NPF’s priority was, and remains, achieving a solution to the long-standing Naga political problem. He said the party would continue representing the identity of the Naga people and until solution arrives, the NPF would continue to pursue the goal for an honourable and amicable settlement to the Indo-Naga issue. He further appreciated the AAP Nagaland for joining hands with the NPF and strengthening the party and expressed that he looked forward to more positive developments.
Interestingly, none of the 26 NPF legislators attended the ‘ceremony’ on Monday.
The Nagaland unit of AAP was formed in the year 2016 and the party participated in three constituencies during the state assembly election this year. However, none of the candidates succeeded. Shortly after the elections, one of the party’s young candidates who had been vocal in promoting the AAP and its principles of anti-corruption in the state, joined the Congress party.
Rajya Sabha MP KG Kenye, who is also the secretary general of the NPF party, in his address, remarked that the merger of AAP with NPF was a rare happening as the latter was not a ruling party. In almost all instances, political parties decide to merge with a ruling party, and not an opposition party, he stated. He pointed out that the AAP Nagaland’s decision to join hands with the NPF to strengthen the latter because of their political stand, therefore, indicated that they (AAP members) were not materialistic or craving for power.
“This move of yours has amply projected your commitment and clarity in your political ideologies,” Kenye stated.
Former AAP leader Dr. Lemwang Chuhwanglim and NPF central minority wing president Bishnu Bhattacharjee also spoke at the programme.
It was informed that the AAP had 643 registered members, all of whom merged with the NPF.
