Kohima, March 18: That Kiyanilie Peseyie of the Nagaland Democratic Alliance would be elected the Speaker of the Nagaland Assembly for a record second term today was a foregone conclusion.

Today, when the 11th Nagaland Assembly gathered for the Speaker’s election, the Congress sprang a surprise by fielding a candidate. But that did not stop Peseyie from sailing through the election by a good margin.

Peseyie was elected Speaker for the first time after he debuted from the 8 Western Angami Assembly constituency in 2003 on a Nagaland People’s Front ticket. This time, he retained both his Western Angami seat and his Speaker’s post.

“Peseyie is most capable person to hold the post of the Speaker, as he plays an impartial role in the conduct of business in the Assembly,” chief minister Neiphiu Rio said.