The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, has characterized the merger of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the Naga People's Front (NPF) as a historic moment for the Naga community. This formal merger took place on October 21 in Kohima, and Rio addressed the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the NPF on Thursday following the event. He emphasized that the success of this unified regional platform hinges on the members working together in harmony and sincerity.

Rio expressed gratitude to party leaders who have supported his leadership in both his roles as Chief Minister and party president. He stated, 'Our coming together is not for ourselves, but for the purpose of the Naga community. It is to preserve our history, traditions, culture, and identity.' He urged members to continue the fight for Naga rights and identity, describing the merger as 'a historic step' in this ongoing struggle.

Discussing broader regional identity, the Chief Minister noted that the NPF is not confined to Nagaland alone. He clarified that the party is also active in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, with aspirations to expand its presence in Assam. Rio remarked, 'While we cannot go beyond international borders, our Naga friends exist across those boundaries. Let us work together with that spirit.'

Meanwhile, the CEC has approved proposals related to the party's integration, organizational restructuring, and Naga political issues. They affirmed that this merger was executed in the supreme interest of the Naga people. The official merger of the two regional parties, NDPP (with 32 legislators) and NPF (with two legislators), occurred on October 21, coinciding with the 63rd anniversary of the NPF, the oldest regional party in the Northeast.