KOHIMA: Five MLAs of the National People’s Party (NPP) have merged with the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) in Nagaland, taking the NPF’s strength to 39 in the 60-member state Assembly.

The Nagaland Assembly Speaker formally approved the merger on October 1 under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.

The five MLAs who joined the NPF are A. Nyamnyei Konyak, Nuklutoshi, C. Kipili Sangtam, Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso and Benei M. Lamthiu.

The merger comes ahead of the 2028 Nagaland Assembly elections and marks another political realignment in the state. The move further strengthens the NPF’s position in the Assembly.

With the latest development, the NPF now has 39 MLAs in the 60-member House.

The merger is also part of a series of political shifts involving the NPF in recent years, as parties and legislators have realigned themselves ahead of the next Assembly polls.