Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has hailed the merger of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the Naga People’s Front (NPF) as a “historic coming together”, asserting that the unification marks a decisive step towards safeguarding Naga identity, culture and political aspirations.
Speaking at the Central Executive Council (CEC) meeting of the NPF in Kohima on Thursday, his first as party president following the formal merger on October 21, Rio said the unified regional platform could succeed only if its members “work smoothly and together with sincerity”.
Expressing gratitude to party leaders for their confidence in his leadership, both as chief minister and now as president of the merged entity, Rio said he acknowledged his limitations but emphasised that the merger was driven by a larger purpose. “Our coming together is not for ourselves, but for the cause of the Nagas, to uphold our history, tradition, culture and identity,” he said.
Rio noted that Nagas have historically maintained limited written documentation, and that the merger itself now forms “a good record for our people”. Calling the NPF the oldest regional political force in the Naga landscape, he stressed the importance of acknowledging the contributions of all those who built the party over the decades.
He urged members to continue their efforts to protect Naga rights and identity, adding that the unification had “created history”. He also acknowledged the organisational challenges arising from the merger, including the restructuring of divisions, committees and leadership roles, and appealed for cooperation when decisions do not satisfy individual expectations. Rio remarked that the secretary general faced significant pressure due to lobbying for accommodation within the reorganised structure, but assured that concerns would be addressed over time.
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On the party’s wider regional reach, Rio said the NPF’s presence extends beyond Nagaland to Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, and that efforts were under way to expand its footprint in Assam. “We cannot go beyond the international border, but we have Naga friends across borders. Let us work with that spirit,” he said.
The CEC adopted a series of resolutions relating to party unification, structural reorganisation and the long-standing Naga political issue. It resolved that the merger was undertaken in the “paramount interest of the Naga people”, with the aim of strengthening shared values, preserving identity and advancing a collective regional vision. It appealed to other like-minded regional organisations to join the united platform and sought continued public support.
The NDPP, with 32 MLAs, and the NPF, with two, formally merged on October 21, coinciding with the 63rd foundation day of the NPF, the oldest regional party in the Northeast.
Reaffirming its political stance, the CEC reiterated its support for the ongoing peace process and committed itself to an “honourable, acceptable and inclusive” settlement to the Naga political issue. It also endorsed the January 6 Nagaland Cabinet Resolution seeking the withdrawal of the re-imposed Protected Area Permit (PAP), urging the Centre to act in the interest of the state’s people.
The CEC approved the creation of separate party divisions for Meluri, Chümoukedima and Shamator, and said the appointment of office-bearers for the new divisions would be made in accordance with the party constitution.
As part of internal restructuring, the CEC resolved to amend certain provisions of the party constitution and formed a Constitution Amendment Committee. The committee will comprise the secretary general as convenor, the convenor of the Central Legal Cell as member secretary, and the presidents of the Central Women Wing, Central Youth Wing and Central Farmers’ Wing as members. The House also authorised the party president to constitute a Central Finance Committee.
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