In this image released to the media, the Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is being greeted by Nagaland Governor Nikhil Kumar at Raj Bhavan on March 3.
Dimapur, March 3 (MExN): The Governor of Nagaland, Nikhil Kumar, has appointed Neiphiu Rio as the Chief Minister of Nagaland under the provision of Article 164 (1) of the Constitution of India.
On March 2, Neiphiu Rio recommended the dissolution of the 11th Nagaland Legislative Assembly and submitted the resignation of his Council of Ministers to the Governor to pave way for the 12th Legislative Assembly. The Governor of Nagaland, through an order passed the same day, dissolved the Assembly. According to a press release from the Chief Minister’s secretariat, the Governor also requested the outgoing cabinet under Rio to continue in office till alternative arrangements have been made. The Chief Minister has also presented the list of DAN III supporters comprising 38 NPF MLAs, 1 BJP MLA, 1 JD (U) MLA and 7 independent MLAs to the Governor.
According to the PTI news agency, Neiphiu Rio will be sworn in as the chief minister of Nagaland for the third consecutive term, on March 5 at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima, official sources said on Sunday Governor Nikhil Kumar will administer oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Rio, who was earlier elected as leader of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) legislature party.
The list of 11 Cabinet Ministers is likely to be submitted to the Governor by Monday, the sources said.
Bypoll on March 23
Polls to the Tuensang Sadar-I Assembly constituency in Tuensang district of Nagaland will be held on March 23. Election to the seat had to be countermanded due to the death of Congress candidate P. Chuba Chang a day before the state went to polls on February 23.
Filing of nominations will end on March 6, election office sources said, adding, the date of scrutiny of nomination of the INC sponsored candidate will be on March 7 and the last date of withdrawal on March 9. Tuensang Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Returning Officer, T. Mhabemo Yanthan, in an official notification has reminded political parties that the Model Code of Conduct will continue to be in force within the jurisdiction of Tuensang Sadar-I Assembly seat till the process of election is completed.
Yanthan said the date of re-poll, if any, will be taken up on March 25 and counting of votes will be on March 26. Other two candidates already in the fray are NPF’s L. Elam Chang and Poyang Changkong Chang (Independent).
