KONO didn't joined the former Liberal Party line, Kensei-to Party which he used to belong, but joined Kensei honto (true Constitutional Party) which was led by former Progressive Party line by Shigenobu OKUMA.
河野は古巣の旧自由党系憲政党ではなく、大隈重信ら旧改進党系の憲政本党結成に参加した。