The seven MLAs of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Nagaland joined the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on Saturday. This led to the majority of Chief Minister Nephew Rio’s party in the 60 -member assembly. After this merger, the number of NDPP MLAs has increased from 25 to 32. There was a split in NCP for some time and the NCP unit of Nagaland supported Ajit Pawar -led faction. The NCP became the third largest party after NDPP and its ally BJP in the 2023 assembly elections, winning a total of 12 seats.
Seven MLAs went and handed over formal letters of their merger
Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer issued an order saying that seven MLAs went and handed over formal letters of their merger. He said that this merger is valid under the tenth schedule of the Constitution and has been approved. The Assembly Secretariat has also been instructed to update the party membership record.
State government minister KG Kenay said in a press conference that 7 NCP MLAs have joined the NDPP by handing over their merger letter to the Assembly Speaker this evening. He said that this change will further strengthen the functioning of the Chief Minister and the government. When asked if this merger would affect the seat sharing within the ruling coalition, he said that there is no permanent formula.
The ruling alliance in Nagaland became stronger
7 MLAs left with Ajit Pawar and left the ruling NDPP. There was a ruckus in Nagaland politics and the political panic. Know the full news. NDPP’s 32, BJP 12, National Popular Party (NPP) 5, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Naga People’s Front and Republican Party of India (RPI) have two each, JD (U), another four independent MLAs in the NDPP Assembly. NCP leaders could not be contacted during this period. After this merger, the ruling alliance in Nagaland has become stronger, which has provided stability and strength to the Chief Minister’s Nephew Rio government.