Nagaland NewsPM, HM, Nadda at Rio’s historic 5th Oath taking as CM

PM, HM, Nadda at Rio’s historic 5th Oath taking as CM

Correspondents

HISTORY SCRIPTED: 2 DY CMs– TR ZELIANG & Y PATTON APPOINTED; SALHOUTUONUO AS FIRST WOMAN MINISTER

Veteran Naga politician and leader of the NDPP-BJP alliance Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday took oath as Nagaland chief minister for a record fifth consecutive term in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Nagaland Governor La Ganesan administered the oath of secrecy to Rio and nine ministers (See Pics) at the swearing-in ceremony held at Capital Cultural Hall here.
As reported by Nagaland Post, BJP was given five cabinet berths while NDPP kept seven berths including that of the chief minister. The swearing also consisted of two other notable firsts. It is for the first time in Nagaland that a woman (Salhoutuonuo Kruse) who won on her maiden entry into state politics, was sworn-in as cabinet minister. It was also the first time that two deputy chief ministers- TR Zeliang (NDPP) and Y Patton (BJP) were sworn-in.
After filling up all 12 cabinet berths(the maximum permissible for small states under the 91st Amendment Act) sources said that Rio will be allocating the portfolios to the cabinet ministers within a day or two. Though it is the prerogative of the chief minister, yet hectic lobbying was reported as the newly appointed cabinet ministers want key and lucrative portfolios.
Chief Minister Rio will also have to accommodate the remaining 18 MLAs from the NDPP and seven from the BJP for appointment as advisors who would be expecting desired portfolios. A balanced and equitable distribution of portfolios is key to running a smooth coalition of which Rio has the experience to handle.
Earlier, the programme began with the national anthem rendered by Music Academy, Kohima (TAFMA) and Police Band. Invocation was pronounced by Kohima Ao Baptist Church pastor Temjenmongba Sempo. Highlights of the programme included ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus by Cantamus Choir (TAFMA) and ‘This is me’ by Bright Lights (TAFMA). The programme was attended by a host of senior State government officials, tribal leaders, political party leaders and prominent citizens.
2 Women MLAs: The new 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly will be adorned by two women lawmakers- Salhoutuonuo Kruse(8 Western Angami) and Hekani Jakhalu (3 Dimapur-III), both from NDPP- after they scripted history to become the first two women candidates out of four, to be elected to the 14th NLA.

Rio justifies having ‘2 Dy CMs’

Newly sworn-in chief minister Neiphiu Rio explained that the two deputy chief ministers in his council of ministers was needed for convenient functioning of the two-party alliance. He said this while briefly interacting with media at the Raj Bhavan after the swearing-in earlier at Capital Cultural Hall.
On all-party govt: Rio also disclosed that he will hold consultation with the BJP alliance partner on whether to include legislators from other political parties who had issued respective letters of support to the NDPP-BJP coalition government.
It may be noted that smaller parties like the NPP, JD(U), RPI(A), LJP(RV) have extended their support to the Rio-led government, while NCP and NPF were also likely to follow suit.
Meanhile, Rio also said it was due to the good wishes and support of the people that he could return as chief minister.
He also remarked that the swearing-in ceremony Tuesday, was a rare occasion because the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, BJP national president and Assam chief minister among other dignitaries , were present to grace the occasion and that he felt blessed to have them.
To a query, Rio replied that keeping its promise for gender equality, the NDPP-BJP alliance government had inducted one of the two women legislators in the council of ministers.

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