Nagaland''s NCP unit merges with NPF

Kohima, Jan 12 (PTI) The Naga People''s Front (NPF)today claimed that the Nagaland unit of the NCP has mergedwith the ruling party along with both their MLAs.

"The NCP unit expressed its desire to merge with theNPF and we accepted the proposal as it strengthens us furtherin the state," NPF president Shurhozelie said.

The merger takes the strength of the ruling NPF to 41in the 59-member state Assembly.

With two MLAs, the NCP is part of the DemocraticAlliance of Nagaland (DAN) government led by Chief MinisterNeiphiu Rio.

NCP''s state president Chumben Murry is the stateagriculture minister while the other party MLA Pangyu Phom isthe parliamentary secretary for rural development.

NCP leaders, however, could not be reached forcomments.

In the 59-member House, the opposition Congress has 18MLAs while the NPF and NCP has 39 and 2 respectively.