Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 22
Newly elected lone Member of Lok Sabha from Nagaland and incumbent Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is back home to submit his resignation from the chair held for the last 11years and three month. This comes in the backdrop of hectic parleys for Chief Minister designate T R Zeliang to stake claim for formation of the DAN-III government to complete the remaining tenure of the NPF led DAN partnership for the remaining three years and nine months..
Rio landed at Kohima Heliport (erstwhile Takloo Mountain), Lerie colony at 4pm along with his wife, daughter, grand-children and Minister for School Education CM Chang. But surprisingly there were only two ministers Kuzholuzo Nienu and Merentoshi R. Jamir besides the Kohima District NPF president Theyiekielie Tachü, NPF functionaries and Class-I contractors to welcome Rio home. Those present to receive Rio at the Heliport revealed that TR Zeliang’s supporters were busy having consultative meeting in the private residence of Khriehu Liezietsu for government formation.
The first time parliamentarian and straight three times Chief Minister, Rio had been in Delhi since May 17 with some of his cabinet ministers to meet Narendra Modi and top leaders of BJP and its allies.
Hurriedly replying to queries made by media-persons present at the port, Rio said “I will submit my resignation tomorrow”.
Officials in Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), which is considered to be the mouth piece of the state government, informed that Rio would be calling on the Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar at 9:00 am on Friday. However, no reason was specified.
The three times chief minister of Nagaland, Rio defeated closest Congress rival KV Pusa by 4,00,225 votes in the just concluded Lok Sabha polls, which is the second highest winning margin after Narendra Modi in the country.
Asked about whether he has been assured of any ministerial berth under Modi government, Rio said “everything went fine in Delhi, but we have not been communicated anything officially”. Prior to his departure for Delhi on May 17, Rio talking to newsmen in Kohima Rio had said “I can function at any level” while also appealing to the people “not to be disappointed if I am not given any assignment in the government”.
It is learnt that the DAN-III legislators being sure of Rio getting a ministerial berth at the centre, are expecting either DoNER or Tribal Affairs Ministry for the three times CM, who has also held different portfolios, including Home and R&B under SC Jamir led Congress government in the past.
Meanwhile, the stage is all set for Chief Minister designate TR Zeliang to approach the Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar for formation of the next DAN-III ministry under his leadership. Zeliang has been holding charge of Minister for Planning & Coordination, Evaluation and Geology & Mining under Rio’s government.
After some differences and hiccups over leadership issue with veteran politician and staunch regionalist Minister Noke Konyak, Zeliang was unanimously declared as the next leader to succeed Rio on May 17 in Kohima.
CM and NPF leaders to decide on next ministry: Kuzholuzo Nienu
Minister for Roads and Bridges and Parliamentary Affairs, Kuzholuzo Nienu told newsmen here that with the change of leadership, reshuffle in the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN)-III ministry is inevitable. He revealed that the NPF leaders and the new CM of the state will decide on the change of ministers and parliamentary secretaries in the state.
Revealing that series of consultations are being held for the formation of the new DAN-III government under TR Zeliang, he said a marathon threadbare meeting was held even today in the residence of NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu here.
He said the DAN legislators present in the meeting decided to abide by the decision of the new CM and NPF leaders, including incumbent CM Neiphiu Rio for formation of the next ministry. Azo also revealed that after Rio submits his resignation, a trio comprising TR Zeliang, NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie accompanied by him would approach the governor for the installation of the new ministry, adding that the swearing-in ceremony would be held Saturday morning.
He also asserted the present government is ‘very good’ but “the next government will bring about reformation of governing system and provide a better, stronger and cleaner government”.
NLA Speaker Chotisuh Sazo said “being the speaker of the House, I have been maintaining neutrality”. He informed that there has not been any communication from the Chief Ministers’ Office for submission of Rio’s resignation to the Assembly. But Rio should resign from either of the seats (MP or MLA) within 14 days from the declaration of the result, he said adding that this period ends on May 30.
He also stated that once Rio resigns as the Chief Minister, his entire ministry – Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries will resign co-terminus in order to empower the new leader to induct a new ministry as his prerogative.
Stating that though some problems had erupted in the process of transition, Sazo expressed the hope that now that TR Zeliang has been unanimously elected as the new leader of the NPF-led DAN Legislature Party everything is settled.
