Will study and response on NPF’s invitation to regional political parties to ‘come together’, says Nagaland Chief Minister

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 8 (EMN): Amid speculations of a possible merger of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), sparked by the former’s invitation to “come together in the larger interest of our people”, Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday said NDPP ‘will study and react’.

The chief minister said this while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an event at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima.

The Working Committee of NPF had on January 31 resolved to extend invitation to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his MLAs, stating that there is a necessity for the regional parties to come together at this crucial juncture to effectively address the issues confronting the people.

Rio said that ‘it is their (NPF) offer, as mentioned in the press, so it is for the other side (NDPP) to study and react. So far, we have no comments’.

When asked if the NDPP is considering the offer and consult with its 2018 pre-poll ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he said “Let us see, let us see.”

Meanwhile a joint parliamentary meeting of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) comprising all the ruling parties — NDPP, BJP, NPF and Independent — is scheduled to take place today at 2:00 pm, at the Chief Minister’s Residential Complex State Banquet Hall in Kohima.

Sources informed that agenda to be taken up at the meeting include appointment of UDA Chairman which is still pending despite the formation of the UDA Government last year, the upcoming Manipur Assembly elections where the NPF had fielded 10 candidates and the BJP in all the 60 seats, and the NPF’s invitation to Rio and his MLAs.