Neiphiu Rio, Mukul Sangma sworn in as CMs

Kohima, March 5: Neiphiu Rio was sworn in for a third straight term as Chief Minister of Nagaland on Tuesday along with 11 ministers by the Governor at a glittering function at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima.

All the eleven ministers were from his own party, the Naga People's Front (NPF), which had won 38 seats in the 60-member house.

The NPF is supported by two alliance partners, BJP and JD(U) with one MLA each, while it has the unconditional support of 7 Independents.

Governor Nikhil Kumar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 63-year-old chief minister, followed by his ministers, Noke Konyak, T. R. Zeliang, G. Kaito Aye, Imkong L. Imchen, Kuzholuzo Nienu, Kiyaneilie Peseyie, Yanthungo Patton, C M Chang, E E Pangteang, S Pangyuh Phom and R Merentoshi Jamir.

Imchen, who was Home minister in the earlier ministry, had been arrested after recovery of Rs 1.10 crore in cash, arms and ammunition allegedly from his car in Wokha district on February 18. He had subsequently resigned.

Rio, Noke, Zeliang, Aye, Imchen and Nienu served earlier as ministers.

Two-time Speaker Kiyaneilie Peseyie, former parliamentary secretary Yanthungo Patton, former Lok Sabha MP CM Chang, former advisor Department for Development of Backward Area EE Pangteang, former parliamentary secretary Rural Development and R Merentoshi Jamir are among six who would hold cabinet rank for the first time.

Jamir, 32, is the youngest among the ministers and the only fresh face to be given a berth.

The Chief Minister told PTI that the portfolios would be announced after the swearing in of Parliamentary Secretaries in the evening at his office.

A host of dignitaries including independent MLAs, NPF president Shurhozelie, senior bureaucrats, officers from the police and paramilitary forces and representatives of NGOs attended the swearing-in.

Mukul Sangma sworn in as Meghalaya CM for the 2nd straight term

Shillong: Mukul Sangma was sworn in as the 23rd chief minister of Meghalaya on Tuesday with the state Governor administering the oath of office and secrecy to him at a grand ceremony in the Raj Bhawan in Shillong.

47-year-old Mukul, who led the Congress to a spectacular victory with 29 seats in the 60-member Assembly, just two short of a simple majority, became the Chief Minister for the second straight term.

He was administered the oath of office by Governor Ranjit Sekhar Mooshahary.

Speaking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, Sangma said, "Our focus will only be on development, development and development because the people of the state deserve it. It will be our sincere commitment...that whatever promises we have made shall be implemented in letter and spirit."

He said that addressing the core issue of backwardness and poverty in the State would be the number one agenda of the new government.

Apart from 29 Congress MLAs, eight Independent candidates have assured of ‘unconditional' support in the government formation. So has the NCP which has won two seats.

According to a top Congress functionary, Sangma has already finalised the list of ministers in consultation with AICC president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

PTI