Kohima, October 2 (NNN): All five sitting MLAs of the National People’s Party (NPP) in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly have formally merged with the Naga People’s Front (NPF), with the merger taking effect from October 1, 2026.
According to a notification issued by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the Speaker declared the merger in accordance with Paragraph 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India and the Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 2019.
The five MLAs are A. Nyamnyei Konyak (48 Moka AC), Nuklutoshi (22 Arkakong AC), C. Kipili Sangtam (59 Seyochung-Sitimi AC), Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso (9 Kohima Town AC), and Benei M. Lamthiu (57 Thonoknyu AC).
The NPF said the legislators joined the party voluntarily and expressed their support for the leadership of Chief Minister and NPF President Neiphiu Rio. Following the merger, the NPF’s strength in the 60-member Assembly has risen to 39, while the NPP is left without a legislator in the House.
