Neiphiu Rio appointed Nagaland CM

Kohima [Nagaland], Mar 6 (ANI): Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader Neiphiu Rio was on Tuesday appointed the new Chief Minister of Nagaland.

Rio was appointed by Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya under clause (1) of Article 164 of the Constitution of India.

The Governor also requested the Chief Minister-elect to prove majority on the House floor on or before March 16.

In a letter addressed to Rio, the Governor said he had received letters of support in his favour from legislators of Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United) and an Independent MLA besides NDPP lawmakers.

According to the letter, the Governor has proposed to administer the Oath of Office and Secrecy to the council of ministers on March 8 around 11.30 a.m. at Khouchiezie, a local ground here.

Earlier in the day, Acharya accepted former Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang's resignation and requested him to continue in office till an alternative arrangement was made.

Quitting its 15-year-old alliance with the ruling Naga People's Front (NPF), the BJP contested 2018 Nagaland assembly elections in alliance with the NDPP.

The BJP won 11 seats, NDPP 16 seats, NDF 27 seats and others four seats in the election, paving way for the Rio-led party to form the next government in India's oldest insurgency-hit state.(ANI)