TR Zeliang to spearhead DAN govt

Nagaland Minister for Planning & Coordination, Evaluation, Geology & Mining, TR Zeliang has been formally and unanimously elected as the new NPF Legislature Party leader. He will spearhead the NPF led DAN-III government in Nagaland after Neiphiu Rio, the present Chief Minister, demits office.

This was unanimously resolved during the NPF Legislature Party meeting and the joint meeting of DAN-III Legislature Party, comprising of the NPF, BJP, NCP and JD (U), along with the Independent MLAs supporting DAN. The meetings were held at State Banquet Hall, Kohima on Saturday.

The resolution of the DAN-III Legislature Party and Independent MLAs joint meeting was signed by DAN Coordination Committee Chairman, Dr. Shürhozelie while Minister for R&B and Parliamentary Affairs, Kuzholuzo Nienu signed a resolution of the NPF Legislature Party meeting.

Earlier, TR Zeliang’s name was proposed by Kejung Chang, Parliamentary Secretary for Jail, HG, VGs and DB/GBs while Forest Minister Y. Patton seconded the proposal.  The programme was presided over by Minister Kuzholuzo Nienu.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated TR Zeliang and said that the NPF led DAN has achieved a lot but that it still has a long way to go. Extending his best wishes to Zeliang, Rio said that there had been a communication gap and expression of different opinions during the transitional period. However, he stated that misunderstandings have now died down.

“To run the government for the third and fourth time will not be easy. It will be possible only when the party remains united” Rio said and urged upon the new leadership to give priority to the backward regions.

Zeliang accepted the party’s decision and stated “I accept with all humility and I will try my level best to fulfill expectation in leading the Naga people to peace and prosperity in line with the manifesto of the party.” He appealed to the legislators to extend unwavering cooperation and support.

In his acceptance speech, Zeliang congratulated Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for his landslide victory in the Nagaland State Lok Sabha election. He thanked the Party President, the Chief Minister and all legislator colleagues for enabling and ensuring smooth transition of leadership in the DAN Legislatures Party.

Referring to Rio’s leadership, TR Zeliang said, “His charismatic nature has instilled an admirable and inspirational sense before the people.” Stating that Rio has enabled the NPF party to become a household name, Zeliang asserted that his contributions to the party, which will have a place now in the national arena, can never be erased.

“I would like to wholeheartedly assure you of my personal and of the state’s government support to all your ventures in central politics for the benefit of the Naga people in particular and the country as a whole. We would carry forward the legacy and vision that you have left to us for the progress of our people,” he added.

Zeliang also acknowledged “the magnanimous gesture” of his colleague Minister for PHE, Noke Wangnao, who Zeliang said, “tirelessly and steadfastly remains in the regional party and has strived for the upliftment of backward region.”

“Noke Wangnao, as a person I know, belongs to the generation of leaders who silently work, but strongly deliver. We are all indebted to him for his broad mindedness and warm hearted approach in resolving this dilemma,” he said.

Zeliang further lamented that there has been speculation that division/dissidents have been created in course of the transitional period of leadership in the NPF led DAN government. He asserted that a constructive attitude is required at this juncture to further unite and strengthen the party and government.

 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 17

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also the MP elect from Nagaland state, left for New Delhi today. He was accompanied by Home Minister, G Kaito Aye; Minister for Planning & Coordination, TR Zeliang and Minister for School Education, CM Chang. The delegation is scheduled to meet top leaders in Delhi, where the process of installing a new government is underway.

“Solution to Naga political problem is one of the most important promises we made to the people. Therefore, we will pursue vigorously which we have committed to the people”, said Rio while asserting that all Naga Political Groups should unite to achieve this common aspiration.

Rio lamented that during the last ten years, when the Congress led UPA was in power, most of state projects could not be implemented due to fund constraint.

TR Zeliang also said that solution to the pending Naga political issue will be the foremost task. He said Nagas could not move any further because of the pending Naga political issue, and therefore priority would be given to bringing an acceptable solution. He sought the cooperation of all legislators on this matter.

Zeliang exuded confidence that Rio being present at the Centre would make a difference and expressed hope that the latter would create an impact on all fronts, especially with the Naga Political Issue. He further expressed hope that the new government at the Centre will give collective attention towards the progress and development of the North East.

 “We have many challenges before us,” Zeliang stated and asserted that his first and foremost duty will be to bring permanent peace so that development would follow.
Commenting on the defeat of the NPF in the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency, Zeliang said “we were defeated by ourselves.” He said there were three Naga candidates (NPF, Independent and BJP), but lamented that Naga votes have been divided. 

‘Nagas have lost 
golden opportunity’
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, commenting on the NPF’s defeat in the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha constituency, today said that Nagas have lost a “golden opportunity.” “I felt very bad. It is bad luck for the Nagas”, Rio said. He said that if the NPF had won in Manipur, it would have made things different and that Nagas could have benefited a lot, particularly on emotional integration and the Naga Political Issue. “Congress has not defeated us, Nagas have defeated us,” Rio rued.