Five National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs in Nagaland joined the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) on October 1, 2026, taking the NPF’s strength in the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly to 39. The merger was notified under the relevant provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
The five NPP legislators formally joined the NPF at a programme in Dimapur in the presence of Chief Minister and NPF president Neiphiu Rio, NPF Secretary General Achumbemo Kikon and other senior party leaders. The NPF confirmed the development in a statement issued late on October 1.
According to information issued by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the five MLAs had informed the Assembly of their merger with the NPF on October 1. The merger was carried out under the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and the Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 2019.
Neiphiu Rio welcomed the five legislators into the NPF. He said their decision to join the party reflected the aspirations of the Naga people and expressed confidence that their entry would further strengthen the party.
The revised party-affiliation statement of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly lists the five legislators who joined the NPF:
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A. Nyamnyei Konyak — MLA from the Moka Assembly constituency and NPP state president.
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Nuklutoshi — MLA from the Arkakong Assembly constituency.
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C. Kipili Sangtam — MLA from the Seyochung-Sitimi Assembly constituency.
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Tseilhoutuo Rhutso — MLA from the Kohima Town Assembly constituency.
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Benei M. Lamthiu — MLA from the Thonoknyu Assembly constituency.
The Assembly bulletin issued by Secretary Khruohituonuo Rio recorded October 1 as the date of the merger. Following the development, the five legislators’ party affiliation was changed to NPF.
Following the merger of the five NPP MLAs, the NPF has 39 members in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly. The BJP has 12 members, while the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Republican Party of India (Athawale) have two members each. The Janata Dal (United) has one member and there are four Independent MLAs.
The development follows the earlier merger of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Legislature Party with the NPF in October 2025. The Nagaland Legislative Assembly had formally notified the merger of 31 NDPP members with the NPF with effect from October 18, 2025.
