The stage is all set for the merger of two regional political parties of Nagaland ---- the Nagaland People’s Council (NPC) and the Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM), according to senior leaders of both the parties.

The NPC and NDM jointly put up Sri Shurhozelie as their common candidate for the lone Lok Sabha seat of Nagaland for September 25 election and released a joint manifesto at Dimapur.

Talking to newsmen after releasing the manifesto, the party leaders expressed their desire to merge to form a viable regional party. The leaders present were NDM president Hokishe Sema, working presidents Tiameren and Chingwang, NPC general secretary Chubatemjen and common Independent candidate Shurhozelie, among others.

The joint manifesto of the NPC and NDM pledged to work ceaselessly for the peace in the State and stressed the need for political will and wisdom in bringing a lasting solution to the vexed Naga political problem. It further advocated for a new and healthy socio-economic order for the people of the State in the 21st century. It also committed to work for unity and integrity of Nagas, pledged to lift the Disturbed Area Act from the State and the ban on National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN).

Maintaining that the ensuing Lok Sabha polls as very crucial "as it will be a fight between corrupt anti-Naga party versus the people of Nagaland", the manifesto vowed to draw the attention of the Centre to the long negligence of the State and pursue a CBI inquiry into the gross financial mismanagement of the present State government.