Dimapur, May 14, 2026: Political tensions have intensified within the Dimapur Municipal Council after 12 elected councillors reportedly moved a no-confidence motion against Chairperson Hukheto Yepthomi, exposing deep divisions within the ruling coalition in the civic body.
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| The Dimapur Municipal Council office in Nagaland, where political tensions have escalated following a no-confidence motion against Chairperson Hukheto Yepthomi. |
According to sources, the 23-member council is currently split into two rival camps within the Naga People's Front (NPF). One faction is led by Chairperson Yepthomi, while the opposing group is led by Deputy Chairperson Imlinaro Stephanie Ezung.
The no-confidence motion was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur on May 11 by a group comprising six NPF councillors aligned with Ezung and all six councillors from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sources said the Deputy Commissioner has reportedly called for a floor test within a week, likely on May 18, in accordance with provisions of the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023.
The Dimapur Municipal Council currently consists of 17 NPF councillors and six BJP councillors. Sources indicated that the Chairperson’s camp presently commands the support of 11 members, while the Deputy Chairperson’s faction claims the backing of 12 councillors.
Amid the ongoing political standoff, reports suggest that the dissident group of 12 councillors is currently camping at a resort in Guwahati, Assam, while Chairperson Yepthomi’s camp remains in Dimapur.
The crisis is reportedly rooted in growing dissatisfaction among BJP councillors over the alleged lack of representation and distribution of responsibilities within the municipality. Sources claimed that BJP councillors had repeatedly sought equitable sharing of administrative roles and chairmanship positions following the urban local body elections.
Speaking to a local news channel, Nagaland BJP president Benjamin Yepthomi alleged that BJP councillors had been sidelined in the functioning of the municipality since the elections. He claimed that no chairmanships or significant responsibilities had been allotted to BJP representatives by the DMC leadership.
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Benjamin Yepthomi further stated that the BJP councillors decided to support Deputy Chairperson Ezung after she reportedly expressed willingness to accommodate coalition partners more fairly in the administration of the civic body.
Sources also indicated that tensions within the DMC began escalating in December 2025 after the chairperson allegedly altered councillor assignments, leading to disputes and litigation that further strained relations between coalition partners.
The upcoming floor test is expected to determine the future leadership of the Dimapur Municipal Council amid the intensifying political deadlock.
