Major political reshuffle took place in this north-eastern state, all 5 MLAs of one party joined the ruling party.

Kohima: A big change was seen in the politics of Nagaland on Thursday. All 5 MLAs of National People’s Party i.e. NPP joined the ruling Naga People’s Front i.e. NPF. With this, the number of NPF MLAs in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly has increased to 39. This information was given in the statement issued by the Assembly Secretariat. The five MLAs had informed the Assembly about the merger with NPF on October 1.

Attendance took place in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

All five NPP MLAs joined NPF in Dimapur. On this occasion, NPF President and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Party General Secretary Achumbemo Kikon and many senior party leaders were present. In a statement issued late last night, NPF informed about the five MLAs joining the party. The party welcomed the move and called it an important development in Nagaland politics.

Which MLAs joined NPF?

According to the revised party-affiliation list of the Nagaland Assembly Secretariat, NPP state president and Moka MLA A. Nyamanyei Konyak, Arkakong MLA Nuklutoshi, Seochung-Sitimi MLA C. Kipili Sangtam, Kohima Town MLA Tseilhoutuo Rutso and Thonoknyue MLA Benei M. Lamthiyu have joined the NPF. According to the Assembly Bulletin, the five MLAs had informed about the merger with NPF under the relevant sections of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. In the bulletin issued by Assembly Secretary Khruohituonuo Rio, the date of merger has been recorded as October 1.

NPF has already become stronger

The departure of NPP MLAs to NPF is being considered as another major change in the ruling political equation of Nagaland. Earlier last year, after the merger of NDPP legislature party, NPF had absorbed a large part of the ruling party. Now with the inclusion of all five NPP MLAs, the NPF’s strength in the Assembly has further increased. Welcoming the NPP MLAs to the NPF, Chief Minister and NPF President Neiphiu Rio said that their decision to join the party reflected the aspirations of the Naga people. He said that with the joining of the five MLAs in NPF, the party will become stronger.

How many MLAs does which party now have in the Assembly?

After this new political equation, NPF has 39 MLAs in Nagaland Assembly. Apart from this, BJP has 12 MLAs. There are two MLAs from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), two from Republican Party of India (Athawale) and one from Janata Dal (United). There are also 4 independent MLAs in the assembly. In this way, after the five MLAs of NPP joined the NPF, the position of the ruling NPF in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly has been further strengthened. Let us tell you that in a recent report of ADR, Nagaland was at the top in terms of switching sides by MPs and MLAs from 2022 onwards. (With inputs from PTI)

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