Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang inducts six new Cabinet ministers ahead of 2018 Assembly polls

Kohima: Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang on Saturday inducted six new members in his Cabinet, ahead of the Assembly elections in February-March 2018. Governor PB Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislators P Longon, CL John, Vikheho Swu, SI Jamir and Kuzholuzo Nienu and Bharatiya Janta Party’s P Paiwang at a simple ceremony at the Raj Bhavan. The reshuffle came after Zeliang sacked six Cabinet ministers following reconciliation by two NPF factions led by Shurhozelie Liezietsu’s and Zeliang on 8 December. [caption id="" align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of TR Zeliang.  Image courtesy: nagaland.gov.in[/caption]

Those sacked were Home Minister Y Patton, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tokheho Yepthomi, Roads and Bridges Minister Nicky Kire, Environment and Forest Minister Neiba Kronu, Rural Development Minister EE Pangteang, and Geology and Mining Minister Mmhonlumo Kikon (BJP).

An NPF leader said the sacking was aimed to pave way for induction of Liezietsu’s loyalists in the Cabinet following the signing of a memorandum of reconciliation, as per which the warring NPF groups were to patch up to provide stability to Nagaland polity and strengthen party unity.

The chief minister said 28 legislators had advised him to reconcile with Liezietsu since protection of party’s ‘cock’ poll symbol from a freeze was of foremost importance.

On Friday, NPF supremo Liezietsu revoked the expulsion of 20 NPF legislators and suspension of 13 other party leaders, including Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha member Neiphiu Rio. The NPF had expelled Zeliang and others for six years, soon after Zeliang was sworn in again as the chief minister on 19 July.