NDPP leader Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday took oath as the 10th Chief Minister of Nagaland for his fifth term in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President J.P Nadda and NEDA Convener and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma here at the Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima.
Rio created history today as the longest serving Chief Minister of Nagaland.
Along with him, 11 other ministers including a woman minister (S Kruse) and two deputy CMs – former Nagaland CM and Naga People’s Front (NPF) leader Taditui Rangkau Zeliang and BJP leader Yanthungo Patton were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers of the state.
For the first time in Nagaland’s history, the state got its first woman minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse and two Deputy Chief Ministers – T.R. Zeliang and Y. Patton.
Yanthungo Patton (L) and T.R. Zeliang (R) being sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers of Nagaland on 7 March 2023.
They all were administered the oath by Governor La Ganesan.
The presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, HM Shah and JP Nadda at the swearing-in ceremony of Rio led government is the BJP’s clear message to the nation and the Congress in particular, that the northeast means a lot to BJP, the party cares for the people and the states of the region and the region will play a significant role in the 2024 general elections.
This is also a direct snub to Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge who had said that there is nothing big about the results Northeast states.
Joined the oath taking ceremony of Shri @Neiphiu_Rio Ji and his Council of Ministers. I am confident that this team, which is a blend of youth and experience, will continue the good governance trajectory of Nagaland and fulfil people’s aspirations. My best wishes to them. pic.twitter.com/YdnIuKTYzl
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 7, 2023
In Nagaland, the BJP and NDPP alliance swept back into power in the recently concluded Assembly elections, winning 37 of the 60 seats. NDPP won 25 seats and BJP 12.
Neiphiu Rio, 72, contested and won from Northern Angami-Il defeating Seyievilie Sachu of the Congress by a margin of 15,824 votes.
Rio has been winning the Northern Angami II seat since 1989.
In 1989, 1993 and 1998, Rio won the seat as a Congress candidate. In 2002, 2008 and 2013 he won the seat on a NPF ticket. In 2018, he was elected unopposed. He established the NDPP in 2017 after splitting from the Naga People’s Front (NPF).
The other ministers who were sworn in today are:
1. G. Kaito Aye (NDPP)
2. K. G. Kenye (NDPP)
3. Mestubou Jamir (NDPP)
4. C.L. John (NDPP)
5. Salhoutuonuo Kruse (NDPP)
6. Jacob Zhimomi (BJP)
7. Temjen Imna Along (BJP)
8. P. Paiwang Konyak (BJP)
9. Bashangmongba Chang (BJP)
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