In a major political realignment in Nagaland, the Naga People’s Front (NPF) has officially joined the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party-Bharatiya Janata Party (NDPP-BJP)-led People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA)government, marking a significant consolidation of regional political forces in the state. The development, announced on Thursday, signals a renewed focus on regional unity and the long-standing Naga peace process.

Officials familiar with the matter said that the NDPP and NPF are in the final stages of formalising a complete merger as a single political entity. The process, they said, is being undertaken with the objective of strengthening the regional front and ensuring greater political stability. The merger is expected to be completed following the general convention of the NPF scheduled for October 21, when the party’s formal resolution on the merger will be ratified.

Political Consolidation in Kohima

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, who leads the NDPP-BJP-PDA coalition, convened a high-level meeting on Wednesday involving all three alliance partners to deliberate on the implications of the NPF joining the government. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a unanimous resolution reaffirming that the existing alliance with the BJP would continue unaltered, effectively ending speculation about a possible rift between the NDPP and its national ally following the merger.

“The alliance with the BJP remains intact. The three PDA partners have decided to work together with renewed commitment towards peace and development,” an NDPP official said. The meeting also reaffirmed the government’s collective resolve to facilitate a peaceful and honourable resolution to the long-standing Naga political issue, which has been a central theme in Nagaland’s political discourse for decades.

Strengthening the Peace Process

Speaking to reporters, Achumbemo Kikon, NPF secretary general and MLA, said that the decision to merge with the ruling alliance was taken after careful deliberation, keeping in mind the greater interest of the Naga people. He emphasized that the present opposition-less government—formed in 2023 when all major parties agreed to work together for the Naga cause—has already demonstrated a model of unity rarely seen in Indian politics.

“The merger and our participation in the PDA government will further strengthen regional unity and allow us to contribute more meaningfully towards the Naga peace process,” Kikon said. He added that the NPF’s integration into the ruling front would ensure that diverse regional perspectives are represented in the ongoing dialogue to achieve a lasting political settlement with various Naga groups and the Centre.

A Political Evolution

The Naga People’s Front, one of Nagaland’s oldest and most influential regional parties, has undergone several political transformations over the past two decades. Once a dominant force in state politics, the NPF saw its influence decline after the emergence of the NDPP in 2017 under Neiphiu Rio, who had earlier been associated with the NPF. The NDPP subsequently allied with the BJP to form the government in 2018, displacing the NPF from power.

However, in a remarkable display of political pragmatism, the NPF extended unconditional support to the ruling PDA government in 2021, effectively creating an opposition-less assembly in the state. The decision was justified at the time as a step towards fostering unity to help advance the Naga peace negotiations with the Government of India.

Now, with the formal merger imminent, political observers say that Nagaland is witnessing the culmination of that process of convergence. The merger, they believe, could reshape the contours of state politics by consolidating nearly all major political forces under one umbrella—potentially reducing political instability and ensuring a stronger collective voice on issues of autonomy, identity, and peace.

Continuity with the BJP

The reaffirmation of the alliance with the BJP was a critical outcome of Wednesday’s PDA meeting, given speculation that the NDPP-NPF merger might strain relations with the saffron party. However, chief minister Neiphiu Rio made it clear that the NDPP-BJP partnership remains foundational to the state government’s functioning.

“Speculations that the merger would affect our understanding with the BJP are unfounded,” a senior NDPP leader said. “The resolution passed by the PDA leadership confirms that our alliance is stable and that we will continue working together for the peace, unity, and development of Nagaland.”

The BJP, which has maintained a strong foothold in Nagaland through its alliance with the NDPP, has welcomed the move. Party leaders have indicated that the merger will bring “greater political coherence” to the government and strengthen its mandate to deliver on development promises.

Implications for the Naga Peace Process

The merger also carries symbolic importance for the ongoing Naga peace process, which has seen intermittent progress since the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) in 2015. The unification of major political forces in Nagaland, analysts say, could lend the state government greater legitimacy in articulating a common position on key issues of contention such as autonomy, integration, and symbolic recognition of Naga identity.

By presenting a united political front, the PDA hopes to act as a bridge between the Government of India and the Naga negotiating groups, ensuring that dialogue remains inclusive and representative of all sections of Naga society. The leadership has repeatedly emphasised that the absence of political opposition in the state assembly underscores a shared vision for peace, rather than a suppression of democratic voices.

“The unity of all Naga political stakeholders is essential for the peace process to succeed,” said a senior NDPP functionary. “The merger with NPF is not merely about electoral strength—it’s about ensuring that Nagaland speaks with one voice in pursuit of lasting peace.”

Towards a Regional Consensus

With the merger expected to be formalised within the next week, the NDPP-NPF union represents a rare instance of political consensus in a state known for its fragmented politics. Observers note that the merger could also alter the dynamics of future elections by consolidating the regional vote bank and minimising intra-regional rivalries.

However, questions remain about how this new alignment will balance regional aspirations with the BJP’s national agenda. While the NDPP and NPF share a strong commitment to regional identity and the peace process, the BJP’s growing influence in the Northeast has introduced new political equations that could reshape governance priorities in the long run.

Despite these challenges, the mood in Kohima appears optimistic. The coming together of the NPF and NDPP under the PDA umbrella is being seen as a political milestone—one that could usher in an era of greater cooperation, stability, and focus on peace-building in the state.

As Nagaland prepares for the formal announcement of the merger on October 21, leaders across the political spectrum are projecting this development as a turning point in the state’s political evolution—one that could help bridge divides, strengthen regional governance, and finally bring the long-elusive goal of peace within reach.