Kohima Bureau
Kohima, March 13 (EMN): Three-time elected representative from 14 Southern Angami I assembly constituency, Vikho-o Yhoshü of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) was elected as the speaker of the newly constituted Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on March 13.
The NDPP-led People’s Democratic Party (PDA) candidate for the speaker’s post, Yhoshü, was proposed by Minister Neiba Kronu and seconded by MLA KT Sukhalu. He defeated Naga People’s Front (NPF) candidate and former speaker Dr. Imtiwapang Aier by polling 33 votes to 26 out of a total 59 polled. Protem Speaker Mmhonlumo Kikon did not vote.
After the members cast their votes in secret ballot, the protem speaker announced the number of votes polled by each candidate and declared Yhoshü elected as the speaker of the 13th NLA.
66-year-old Yhoshü holds a Bachelor’s degree in Technology and had been in government services from 1975 till 2007. He joined politics in 2008 after retiring as OSD to Geology and Mining (Nagaland Civil Secretariat) and ex-officio managing director of NSMDC Ltd. He has, since then, been elected from the Southern Angami-I constituency in Kohima district for three consecutive terms. During his previous tenures, he had served as adviser and chairman, parliamentary secretary and adviser to chief minister.
Felicitating the newly elected speaker, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the members look forward to the conduct of the August House in a most impartial and non-partisan manner under Yhoshü.
Rio described the speaker elect as a refined gentleman with a pleasant nature and strong integrity, who brings with him rich experience of government and public life.
Acknowledging Yhoshü’s experience of more than 30 years under both government of India and government of Nagaland, and along with it, more than 10 years of legislating experience, Rio said his guidance will be very valuable to all the members while conducting the affairs of the assembly in the highest democratic tradition.
The chief minister urged all the members of the House, cutting across party lines, to extend their support and cooperation to the newly elected speaker. While conveying his best wishes to the speaker, he assured that the members of the House would not leave any stone unturned to meet the expectations of the people of Nagaland and for smooth functioning of the House as per the speaker’s direction.
Leader of NPF legislature party and former chief minister TR Zeliang, in his congratulatory address to the new speaker, said he was confident that the latter would “more than live up” to the expectations of the members of the House on both the treasury and opposition benches in maintaining absolute neutrality, impartiality and uphold the dignity and decorum of the House.
“While it is an established fact that in parliamentary democracy, majority prevails, yet at the same time it should be strictly ensured that laid-down rules and procedures are not by-passed nor (sic) overlooked. And as long as you maintain that impartiality in your dispensations and are just in your decisions, you can be rest assured of our full cooperation,” Zeliang stated.
In his acceptance speech, speaker Yhoshü thanked the members of the House for electing him to the dignified office and assured them that he would be fair, unbiased and judicious to all regardless of which party they belonged to. “Party affiliations cannot diminish the responsibility and confidence the people have reposed in each of you to act in shaping their destiny,” he said.
Admitting that he was new to the task and of being “little nervous” of the great responsibilities attached to the dignified office of the speaker, Yhoshü maintained that the precedents, conventions and rulings left behind by his distinguished predecessors who held the office of the speaker would be his ‘constant guide’. He also expressed that his faith in democratic ideals and the spirit of cooperation assured by the members of the House would help him discharge his duties effectively.
