Kohima, March 10: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio today gifted ministerial berths to nearly all the legislators of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), inducting four new ministers into his jumbo ministry.
With this expansion, the strength of the ministry, including Rio himself, has risen to 33. Of these, 28 are Cabinet ministers and five are ministers of state. Five ministers of state were also elevated to Cabinet rank today.
Of the four new entrants, I. Sangtam of the BJP is of Cabinet rank while others from the Nagaland People’s Front, the leading DAN partner, were made ministers of state. The ministers of state sworn in were the NPF’s Yitachu, E.E. Panthiang and Naiba Konyak. The crucial finance portfolio has been assigned to Nagaland People’s Front spokesman K. Therie, who along with Rio spearheaded the anti-Congress campaign in the run-up to the polls.
The home portfolio went to T.M. Lotha of the BJP. Former finance minister and senior BJP leader Tiameren Aier got power, while NPF stalwarts Shurhozelie Angami and Thenucho got planning and co-ordination and health and family welfare respectively.
The lone Samata Party legislator, Deo Nukhu, has been given higher and technical education and information technology. Industry and commerce went to Kakiho Zhimomi of the NPF while Kihoto Hollohon, who defected from the NDM recently, was made minister for social security and welfare. Janata Dal (United) supremo Huska Sumi got the agriculture portfolio.
Interestingly, plum portfolios like roads and bridges, rural development and school education went to Independent MLAs Khutovi, Imkong Imchen and P. Chuba respectively.
Another Independent MLA, Jongshilemba Ao, got horticulture and sericulture. With this, all the four Independents have secured Cabinet berths.
The new Cabinet ministers who were administered the oath of office by Governor Shyamal Dutta were Vatsu Meru, Hewoto, Kheto (all NPF); M.C. Konyak and Imtilemba Sangtam (both BJP) and R. Khing of the JD(U). Barring Imtilemba, all others were elevated from the rank of minister of state.
The three new ministers of state who also took oath today were Yitachu, E.E. Pangtheang and Naiba Konyak, all first-time MLAs from the NPF.
With the induction of new ministers, only two legislators, both from the NPF — Kiyanilie Peseye and Azo Neinu — have been left out. The NPF has, however, already proposed the name of Kiyanilie as Speaker. BJP veteran and former chief minister Hokishe Sema has been made chairman of the alliance with a Cabinet rank.
Meluri constituency found representation for the first time in the government in the past 40 years, with the swearing in of Yitachu as a minister of state today.
The chief minister himself will hold all portfolios not allotted to any minister. On being asked about the problems he faced while allocating the portfolios, Rio diplomatically said, “We call it sorting out and not a problem.”
