Rio set for third term as CM
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, March 01 2013:
Following the unanimous election as the leader of the Naga People's Front Legislature Party, Neiphiu Rio is all set for the third innings as the Chief Minister of Nagaland.
Abu Metha, the Chief Minister's media advisor informed Newmai News Network this evening in the State Capital that the Legislature Party of Nagaland People's Front held a meeting at Hotel Vivor in Kohima at around 3 pm and another meeting of the Legislature Parties of Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) comprising the NPF, the BJP and the JD(U) in the same hotel at 4 pm today to elect their Legislature Party Leaders.
"Noke proposed the name of Neiphiu Rio as the leader of the NPF Legislature Party, which was seconded by Kaito.
Neiphiu Rio's name was approved unanimously by all the 38 legislators of NPF," Abu Metha further informed.
The NPF Legislature Party meeting was immediately followed by the DAN Legislature Parties' meeting in which P Paiwang Konyak of the BJP proposed the name of Neiphiu Rio as the Leader of the DAN Legislature Parties which was seconded by BS Nganglang of the JD (U), the media advisor of Neiphiu Rio added.
Both the meetings were chaired by senior NPF MLA TR Zeliang.
Dr Shurhozelie, President of NPF, KG Kenye, Secretary-General, NPF, M Chuba Ao, State BJP President and Arun Kumar Srivastava, National General Secretary-JD (U) in-charge of Nagaland adorned the meetings as special observers, Abu Metha stated.
Meanwhile, when asked about the date on which the NPF led DAN team will stake claim to form the government, the chief minister's aide said they have not fixed the date as yet.
"But very soon," added Abu Metha.
It can be noted here that the incumbent NPF had demolished its political arch rival the Congress party to the dust by securing 38 seats in the 59 assembly constituencies contested.
The Congress managed to get only 8 seats, the worst ever performance of the party in Nagaland.
In the 2008 elections, the Congress party had secured 24 seats while the NPF rose from 19 seats in 2003 to 26 seats in the year 2008 and finally swept the 2013 assembly polls by clinching 38 seats.
Sadar Tuensang assembly constituency will go to poll on March 23.The poll to the constituency could not be held as one of the contenders had passed away two days before the poll.