Nagaland Governor PB Acharya has invited NDPP-BJP chief ministerial candidate Neiphiu Rio to form the new government in Nagaland under clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution of India. The Governor also requested Chief Minister TR Zeliang to continue in office till an alternative arrangement is made.
In a letter addressed to Rio on Tuesday, Nagaland Governor said he has received letters of support in favour of Rio from legislators of BJP, JD (U) and an independent besides NDPP MLAs, totaling 32 in the House of 60.
The new Council of Ministers will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by the Governor at Kohima local ground at 11:30 am on March 8. He also asked Rio to prove his majority on the floor of the House on or before March 16.
Meanwhile, the Governor has accepted the resignation submitted by Chief Minister TR Zeliang. The CM tendered resignation of the Council of Ministers headed by him to the Governor on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier on the day, officials from the Election Commission of India along with Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer Abhijit Sinha submitted the notification constituting the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly to the Governor at Raj Bhavan Kohima. Following this, the Governor dissolved the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Sources said though Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to attend the swearing-in of the new ministry, he is not going to attend it. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP national president Amit Shah will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the NDPP-BJP alliance government under the banner of People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA). This is for the first time that an open air swearing-in ceremony for a government will be held in Nagaland.
National People’s Party (NPP), a pre-poll ally of NPF, which begged two seats in the just concluded Nagaland Assembly elections has also officially given a letter of support to NDPP-led alliance to form the government. With their support, NDPP-BJP alliance tally has reached 34 in the House of 60.
The NDPP won 18 seats, BJP 12, NPP 2, JD(U) 1 and Independent 1. The Naga People’s Front (NPF) begged 26 seats.
Meanwhile, Y Patton has been elected as leader of BJP Legislature Party on Monday. He is all set to be the Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland.