The Party went again to the polls in 1972 and returned and with the self-government in 1973, Tei Abal and Sinake Giregire and Paul Langro were on the Constitutional Planning Committee.
Using the Constitutional Planning Committee (a faction calling itself the Nationalist Pressure Group - Giregire, Fr.
The Country Party had 14 Members under the leadership of Sir Sinake Giregire (MP for Goroka and later Daulo) and Michael Pondros (Manus).
The role of Country Party featured prominently in the Constituent Assembly when it was more or was taking the lead in the Nationalist Pressure Group (Momis, Kaputin and Giregire) who wanted to present the CPC Report as it is to become the Constitution and on one hand Somare and Pangu who wanted amendments such as dropping the Provincial Government system.
Wingti then broke ranks with Pangu and with other Members including from United Party formed Peoples Democratic Movement in 1985.
With the loss of Sir Tei Abal, Leader of United Party in 1987, leadership tussle came into play with Roy Evara, Anton Parao, Paul Torato and others.
The party leader for the 2002–2007 term was Bire Kimisopa, member for Goroka Open, in Eastern Highlands province.