Guwahati, Sept. 7 -- In a significant development Naga People's Front (NPF) chief Apong Pongener expressed his wish to step down to ensure state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio takes charge as the party head.

Pongner's gesture comes amid speculations of a merger between NPF and the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).

At a press meet NPF secretary general Achumbemo Kikon asserted the Central Executive Council (CEC) invoked its February 12 resolution requesting former members to rejoin the party.

He added that the CEC made a "very formal and special appeal" to Rio to return to the party from where he started his political career in the early 1970s.

The party was then called the United Democratic Front (UDF).

However, in ...