NewzVille Desk
In a political development in Nagaland, the Naga People’s Front (NPF), the oldest regional party in the Northeast, has formally appealed to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to return to the party and take up its leadership. The resolution was adopted by the party’s Central Executive Council (CEC) during a meeting yesterday in Kohima.
This move comes amid growing speculation of a potential merger between the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the NPF. Addressing the media, NPF Secretary General and MLA Achumbemo Kikon confirmed that the CEC has made a special appeal to Chief Minister Rio to rejoin the NPF and assume leadership in the interest of both the party and the Naga people.
MLA Kikon emphasized that the NPF continues to view Rio as an integral part of the party, and his return would send a positive message to the public.
The CEC also called on sitting and former legislators, including two Members of Parliament and 60 MLAs, to unite under the NPF banner.
Meanwhile, NPF President Apong Pongener reiterated his earlier statement, expressing his willingness to step down if Chief Minister Rio decides to return.
NPF President Pongener assured that he would fully support Rio in leading the NPF and forming a party-led government in Nagaland.
It’s important to note that Rio left the NPF in 2017 to join the NDPP. Currently, the NPF has only two MLAs, compared to the NDPP’s 32 under Rio’s leadership.
