Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 23
Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar today appointed TR Zeliang as the new Chief Minister of the State while proposing to administer the oath of office and secrecy to the new Council of Ministers in Raj Bhavan at 9:45 am on Saturday.
The Governor told newsmen here that consequent upon the resignation of incumbent Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio from the office, the new leader of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN)-III T R 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.
Meanwhile, Raj Bhavan sources said the Chief Minister-designate TR Zeliang accompanied by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kuzholuzo Nienu, Naga People’s Front (NPF) president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and secretary general KG Kenye staked the claim along with the two resolutions adopted by NPF Legislature Party and DAN Legislature Party unanimously electing him as the leader.
“Consequent upon the resignation of the Council of Ministers (CoM) headed by Neiphiu Rio today, I stake claim to form the next CoM headed by me,” he said in a claim letter submitted to the Governor.“I request that I may please be invited to form the next CoM at the earliest,” Zeliang stated.
The Governor appointed TR Zeliang to be the Chief Minister of Nagaland by virtue of powers vested on him by clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution.
Dr Kumar, while seeking Zeliang’s advice on the constitution of the new Council of Ministers, also proposed to administer the oath of office and secrecy at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan Kohima at 9.45 am on Saturday.
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 general elections in 2013.
