Nagaland: All seven NCP MLAs in Nagaland officially joined the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) on Saturday, significantly boosting Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s majority in the 60-member state assembly.

With this development, the NDPP’s tally has increased from 25 to 32 seats, giving the party an absolute majority.

The NCP’s Nagaland unit had earlier aligned itself with the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the party following an internal split. In the 2023 assembly elections, the NCP had emerged as the third-largest party after the NDPP and its ally, the BJP, which holds 12 seats.

According to an order issued by Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer, the seven MLAs submitted formal letters requesting a merger with the NDPP. The MLAs include Namri Nchang (Tening), Picto Shohe (Atoizu), Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe (Wokha Town), Y Mankhao Konyak (Mon Town), A Pongshi Phom (Longleng), P Longon (Noklak), and S Toiho Yeptho (Suruhoto).

The speaker confirmed that the merger was in accordance with the constitutional provisions under the Tenth Schedule. He approved the merger and directed the assembly secretariat to update party records, as outlined in the Members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 2019.