DIMAPUR, May 23 � Nagaland Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar today appointed TR Zeliang as the new Chief Minister of the State. Zeliang along with his new Council of Ministers will be administered the oath of office and secrecy in Raj Bhavan at Kohima at 9.45 am on Saturday.
The Governor told newsmen in Kohima that consequent upon the resignation of incumbent Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio from office, the new leader of the Naga People�s Front (NPF) and Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) TR Zeliang staked claim to form the next Council of Ministers headed by him.
Zeliang had been holding charge of Minister for Planning and Coordination, Evaluation and Geology & Mining under Rio Government. In the 60-member State Assembly, DAN has 52 MLAs while opposition Congress has eight MLAs. NPF is the major constituent of DAN with 38 members, while the pre-poll allies BJP and JD (U) have one MLA each. Four NCP legislators and eight independent MLAs also joined the ruling Front after the State Assembly elections in 2013.
Rio: Earlier, three-times Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio along with his Council of Ministers resigned today after being in office for 11 years and three months.
Rio resigned from the Chief Minister�s post following his landslide victory in the just concluded Lok Sabha polls.
Accompanied by Chief Minister-designate TR Zeliang, Naga People�s Front (NPF) president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kuzholuzo Nienu, Rio submitted his resignation along with his Council of Ministers to Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar at Raj Bhavan this morning.
Governor Kumar told media persons that Rio�s resignation has been accepted, but has requested Rio to continue in office till alternative arrangement is made. The newly-elected Nagaland MP also submitted his resignation from the 60-member State Assembly.
Consequent upon Rio�s resignation from the State Assembly, the Election Commission of India will have to hold a bye-election to Northern Angami-II Assembly Constituency which he represented, within next six months.
