Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretary Khruhituonou Rio said in a notification: “In accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India and in consonance with the Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 2019, the Speaker has declared the merger of the five members of the National People’s Party (NPP) mentioned below with the Naga People’s Front (NPF) in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly with effect from October 1, 2026.”
The five NPP MLAs who joined the NPF are NPP state president and Moka MLA A Nyamnyei Konyak, Arkakong MLA Nuklutoshi, Seyochung-Sitimi MLA C Kipili Sangtam, Kohima Town MLA Tseilhoutuo Rhutso and Thonoknyu MLA Benei M Lamthiu.
The merger has taken the strength of the NPF in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly to 39.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the decision of the five MLAs to join the NPF reflected the aspirations of the Naga people and would further strengthen the party.
Following the realignment, the Nagaland Assembly has 12 BJP MLAs, two from the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), two from the Republican Party of India (Athawale), one from the Janata Dal (United) and four Independents, besides the NPF’s 39 MLAs.
Last year, the NPF had absorbed most members of the ruling establishment following the merger of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Legislature Party. The NDPP had 32 MLAs in the 60-member House, while the NPF had two MLAs. Following the merger, the NPF’s strength rose to 34.
The NPP was a partner in the ruling coalition. In Manipur, both the NPF and the NPP support the BJP-led government. The NPP leads the coalition government in Meghalaya, where the BJP is a partner.
