DIMAPUR, Dec 20 - Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang inducted 10 MLAs, eight from NPF and two Independents, in addition to six earlier, as Advisers in his Ministry. The move comes after he sacked three Advisers and five Parliamentary Secretaries on December 18 in a clear sign that there would be no space given to dissidence.
Zeliang administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly-inducted Advisers at State Banquet Hall in Kohima on Tuesday. The new Advisers are EE Pangteam, Chotisuh Sazo, Yitachu, N Thongwang Konyak, N Thomas Lotha, Er Vokho-O Yhoshu, R Tohanba, T Torechu, Tovihoto Ayemi and N Jacob Zhimomi.
NPF president and DAN chairman Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu, Ministers, Advisers, Parliamentary Secretaries, high ranking State Government officials and others were among those present at the swearing in ceremony.
Zeliang has so far sacked six Cabinet Ministers, three Advisers and six Parliamentary Secretaries. He relieved four Ministers on December 13 followed by another two on December 15.
The Chief Minister also allocated portfolios to the six new Ministers who were inducted into his Cabinet after a major reshuffle.
The present DAN-III legislature has 59 members (after the passing away of one member), out of which there are 12 Cabinet Ministers including the Chief Minister, 16 Advisers and 16 Parliamentary Secretaries.