Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 22 (EMN): Ten cabinet ministers were inducted in the new chief minister TR Zeliang’s ministry on Saturday evening at a swearing-in function held in the Raj Bhavan, Kohima. Governor PB Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new council of ministers.
The cabinet ministers include G Kaito Aye, Imkong L Imchen, Y Patton and C Kipili Sangtam from the previous ministry, Tokheho Yepthomi, Dr Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, Kejong Chang, Neiba Kronu and BJP legislators Mmhonlumo Kikon and Imtilemba Sangtam. Other than the two BJP legislators, the rest are NPF, however, five among them were expelled by the party and two suspended on Friday subsequent to Zeliang’s whooping victory in the floor test in the Assembly.
Earlier during the day, a list bearing 11 cabinet ministers’ names under the Raj Bhavan letterhead was doing the rounds in social media but during the swearing-in, senior NPF legislator EE Pangteang’s name was omitted, indicating a probable last-minute arrangement. Sources said veteran regionalist Noke Wangnao, who is also from the same district as Pangteang, had protested on being left out. Wangnao skipped the swearing-in function, and it was learnt that he will be inducted at a later date with the blessing of his tribesman Pangteang.
Although Zeliang did not specifically mention Wangnao’s name, he told reporters that only 10 ministers could be inducted today as one was absent and he would be sworn in on Monday.
It was apparent that there was disgruntlement among some of the legislators with the new set up. Patton was seen leaving early in a sour mood, reportedly because his name was placed number 4 in the cabinet list. When queried about it, Zeliang brushed it aside saying this was not an Assembly sitting arrangement.
He also stated that the selection of the new council of ministers was done taking into consideration political party equation and tribal equation.
Meanwhile, BJP legislator and former minister P Paiwang Konyak was conspicuously absent on the occasion. He was recently sacked by former chief minister Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsü after the state BJP announced to side with TR Zeliang during the tussle for leadership. For the new council of ministers, BJP party sources say the names of Kikon and Sangtam were recommended by the BJP high command.
For the BJP, Paiwang was the only legislator to have entered the Assembly through BJP ticket. Both Kikon and Sangtam were elected on NCP tickets. Also, it may be mentioned that none of the 7 independent MLAs who backed Zeliang, figured in the cabinet list.
Sitting Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio, state BJP president Visasolie Lhoungu and NLA Speaker Dr Imtiwapang Aier were also present at the function along with a host of MLAs and others.
