NDPP general convention to seal NPF merger

Party leaders, legislators welcome move but final decision to follow constitutional process

DIMAPUR — The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has summoned a general convention to take a final call on the Naga People’s Front’s (NPF) offer for a possible merger.

The party issued a press statement on Friday, following a central executive board (CEB) meeting at the NDPP central headquarters in Kohima under the leadership of party President Chingwang Konyak and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

Presidents of all central frontal organisations, conveners of central committees, and regional office bearers also attended the meeting.

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It stated that the CEB deliberated on recent developments, including resolutions adopted by the NPF’s central executive council and the letter of offer by its secretary general addressed to the NDPP president.

The chief minister, the NDPP president, and the secretary general briefed members on the matter, while Minister G Kaito Aye apprised the meeting on behalf of the NDPP legislators, informing that the parliamentary board had already welcomed the NPF’s offer.

According to the NDPP, members present at the meeting also welcomed the move but stressed that the party, being registered and recognised by the Election Commission of India, must follow constitutional procedures as laid out in its own constitution.

Accordingly, the CEB resolved to call a general convention where the final decision will be taken.

The house unanimously endorsed the president and the chief minister to take necessary steps towards the convention, it added.

The development follows the NPF’s central executive council meeting on September 6, during which party president Apong Pongener offered to resign if Rio returned to lead the party. The council also adopted a resolution appealing to Rio to rejoin and reiterated its call for unity among regional parties in Nagaland.