Tag Archives: Nagaland

Nagaland CM Rio alongwith council of ministers take oath in presence of PM Modi; list of ministers & portfolios

On Tuesday, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader Neiphiu Rio was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Nagaland for the fifth term. The 12- member cabinet including deputy chief ministers T R Zeliang and Y Patton, also took the oath as ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor La Ganesan, and other BJP leaders attended the ceremony that took place in the Kohima city.

This election was historical in many ways but most significant development was getting first female legislators in 60-years of statehood. The two women lawmakers – Hekhani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse of the ruling NDPP defeated the sitting MLAs in Western Angami and Dimapur-III seats.

Council of Ministers and portfolios

  1. Neiphiu Rio Chief Minister Finance and also in-charge of Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms; and all-important policy issues; and all other portfolios not allocated to any Minister.
  2. Mr. Taditui Rangkau Zeliang Deputy Chief Minister Planning and Transformation Department, National Highway
  3. Mr. Yanthungo Patton Deputy Chief Minister Home, Border Affairs
  4. Mr. G. Kaito Aye Minister Roads & Bridges
  5. Mr. Jacob Zhimomi Minister Public Health Engineering, Cooperation
  6. Mr. K.G. Kenye Minister Power, Parliamentary Affairs
  7. Mr. P. Paiwang Konyak Minister Health & Family Welfare
  8. Mr. Metsubo Jamir Minister Rural Development, SIRD
  9. Mr. Temjen Imna Along Minister Tourism, Higher Education
  10. Mr. C.L. John Minister Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Village Guard
  11. Ms. Salhoutuonuo Kruse Minister Women Resource Development & Horticulture
  12. Mr. P. Bashangmongba Chang Minister Housing & Mechanical Engineering

Advisors and Portfolios

Sl. No Name Designation Portfolio

  1. Mr. Noke Wangnao Advisor Social Welfare
  2. Mr. Imkong L. Imchen Advisor Information & Public Relations, Soil & Water Conservation
  3. Mr. K. Konngam Konyak Advisor Treasuries & Accounts, Art & Culture
  4. Mr. Zhaleo Rio Advisor Urban Development. Municipal Affairs
  5. Mr. H. Tovihoto Ayemi Advisor Tribal Affairs
  6. Mr.Tongpang Ozukum Advisor Water Resources
  7. Mr. K. Tokugha Sukhalu Advisor Food & Civil Supply, Legal Metrology
  8. Mr. Kazheto Advisor Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services
  9. Mr. Mhathung Yanthan Advisor Agriculture
  10. Mr. S. Keoshu Yimchunger Advisor Youth Resources & Sports
  11. Mr. Kropol Vitsu Advisor Prison, Printing & Stationery
  12. Mr. Moatoshi Longkumer Advisor Labour, Employment & Skill Development, Excise
  13. Mr. T.N. Mannen Advisor Law & Justice, Land Revenue
  14. Mr. A. Pangjung Jamir Advisor Fishery & Aquatic Resources
  15. Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome Advisor School Education, SCERT
  16. Mr. Kudecho Khamo Advisor Civil Administration Works Division , Taxes
  17. Mr. Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe Advisor New and Renewable Energy, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority
  18. Ms. Hekani Jakhalu Kense Advisor Industries & Commerce
  19. Mr. Imkongmar Advisor Minority Affairs, Sericulture
  20. Mr. Temjenmenba Advisor Transport, Technical Education
  21. Mr. G. Ikuto Zhimomi Advisor Land Resources
  22. Mr. W. Chingang Konyak Advisor Geology & Mining, Department of Under Developed Areas
  23. Mr. S. Kiusumew Yimchunger Advisor Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guard and Civil Defence
  24. Mr. Sethrongkyu Advisor Information Technology & Communication, Economics & Statistics, Evaluation

Assembly Polls 2023: Tripura & Nagaland goes to BJP; NPP bags Meghalaya

Tripura and Nagaland with alliances have voted for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in the Assembly Polls 2023. BJP has secured respectable majority in Nagaland with its ally Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP). However, in Meghalaya, Saffron performed very poor and hovered around five to six seats. So did Congress (6) and Trinamool (5) that had tall claims and convictions before the polls. Trinamool Supremo Mamata Banerjee and nephew turned General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee had air dashed umpteen times to North East. The results are enough to show their reach and acceptance among the locals.

In case of Tripura, entrusting with poll duties to Rajib Banerjee who had left Trinamool to join BJP just before the Assembly Polls in West Bengal and after his defeat again re-joined Trinamool. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee who had reprimanded him from public meetings and even called him by various names – ‘beiman’ , ‘mirzafar’ etc, inducted him when he staged a comeback. Trinamool may be fine by allowing so-called ‘mirzafars’ but it sends a wrong picture and message to the people as they fail to understand why should they trust someone like Rajib Banerjee.

Chief Minister in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalya won their seats an jid are all set to form the government.

For BJP, Meghalaya will be a challenge as people in the state have refused to accept the Saffron inspite of Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding numerous rallies and roadshows prior to the elections. The party will do a detailed introspection as per the protocol of any political party especially those being cadre based parties also called regimented parties like the BJP, Left Front etc .

The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)’s Hekani Jakhalu became the first ever woman to be elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The 48- year old received 45.16 per cent of the 31,874 votes in the constituency, just ahead of the Lok Jansakthi Party (Ram Vilas Paswan)’s Azheto Zhimomi, who received 40.34 per cent of the votes.

However, it’s very sad story for the Congress that have been totally wiped out in Tripura and Nagaland with 0 seats. There was a time when Congress was one of the important political parties across the North East. In Nagaland, Congress had a good reach and bagged considerable votes in the Assembly polls. Once again, it’s for the Congress to decide if it wants to continue like this or will gear up as being one of the oldest political parties, it has lost its face value. Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Joro Yatra’ or suggested ‘Haat se Haat Joro Yatra’ have no value unless it plans to revamp the party and make changes. I myself was talking to a Congress member and he accepted such Yatras are useless unless Congress changes for good. RaGa should realise that he carries a responcibility, the legacy of his grandmother Indira Gandhi, his father Rajiv Gandhi, people have some expectations from him.

The Tipra Motha party deserves a big compliment for performing so well and bagging 13 seats. The party which is a new born baby has proved it has a good reach among the locals. There are speculations that the BJP leadership may approach the Tipra and offer an alliance. However, earlier it was said that the BJP was in talks with the National People’s Party (NPP) for an alliance in the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi as per his style had visited the BJP headquarters in Delhi in the evening on Thursday, and met the members of the party. He had also interacted with the leadership and candidates in the winning states and complimented them over their performance. Also, talks were held within the party leadership about seat sharing, and the dates when swearing-in ceremonies will take place. Meghalaya too was discussed and PM Modi assured the state that his party will do everything to develop the state and reach out to the people in the state.

Nagaland Polls 2023: BJP 59 Assembly constituency Seyochung Sitimi demands immediate re-poll at Kisetong Village under Kiphire district

Assembly polls took place across 59 constituencies out of 60 on February 28, 2023. The elections marked massive rigging and violence across districts in the state. 183 candidates were in frey. Over 13 lakh voters exercised their franchise. Polling took place across 2,291 booths, out of which 196 were women managed booths. 85 per cent polling was recorded according to Election Commission of India (ECI).

Reacting to the reports pouring in from the state, 59th a/c Seyochung Sitimi Kiphire district has demanded for an immediate re-poll in polling station No 28 of Changchor village, Kisetong village No. 30 and 44 at Kisetong A, Nagaland over the party alleging the National People’s Party (NPP) for booth capturing. Over 13.9 lakh registered voters exercised their franchise in the polls in the state.

V Kashiho Sangtam, the intending BJP candidate of 59 Assembly Constituency Seyochung Sitimi, has also written a letter addressed to the Returning Officer at 59 ac, for a re-poll at polling station number 30 and 44 at Kisetong A, citing rampant proxy voting as well as multiple voters presence inside the polling booth in the presence of all polling personals, while the Presiding Officer at polling station 30, has issued over 360 token to the non existent electorates, even after the normal timing of polling is over by 4pm, which is a direct violation of the Representation of the People’s Act 1951, and added that it has never happened in the history of any election under the 59 assembly constituency or anywhere in the state. Kashiho Sangtam also questioned the audacity of the polling officials deputed in both the polling stations who aided in booth capturing which is a matter of serious consequence in the polling history of the State. Further, evidence proof of voters repeatedly casting voting even at 8pm have also been enclosed.

Toshiho K Yepthomi, President 59 Mandal BJP, alleged that the NPP made intimidation with threats and life attempts made to the two polling agents at polling station 28 Changchor Village, Nagaland, where complaints and requests were made for a security back up for the BJP electorates but the authority paid no heed to the requests made. Adding to it, the voters slip of the BJP electorates were captured by the NPP and casted all the votes in the presence of the Presiding Officer. Further, the office of the Residing Officer was kept locked the whole day and complaints to address the matter were left in vain. In preview of the matter that escalated, the 59 assembly constituency have demanded for a re-poll to conduct at the earliest.

An eligible voter from the Changchor village have also expressed his disappointment for not being able to caste his vote as his voter slip was already casted by another person unknown to him. There were numerous cases of genuine voters being threatened with life attempts, and were stopped from casting their votes, he informed.

Following the incidents that took place on Monday, and in-order to prevent the misuse of the media from flaring up the tension in the district and prevent the breach of the public peace and tranquility, Nagaland Home Commisioner, Abhijit Sinha have issued a notification on Tuesday, dated 28th February 2023, to prohibit the mobile internet/data service of all the service providers in the entire area of Kiphire district under Section 5 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, with immediate effect till further orders.

It’s not yet confirmed if the ECI will conduct re-polls. There have been no notification issued till now. According to Exit Polls BJP-NDPP alliance will win 35 to 45 Sears. However, the picture will be clear on March 2, 3023 when the results will be declared.

Nagaland Polls 2023: 13,17,632 voters to exercise their franchise on Feb 27   

With barely two-days to go for the Nagaland Assembly polls, political activities have geared up in the state with political bigwigs from all the political parties visiting the state, holding rallies and meetings, making convictions to the locals. It is too early to comment if their hard work will fetch results. The state will go to polls on February 27, 2023 and results will be declared on March 2.

Nagaland is one of the most beautiful and picturesque states in the north east of India and is among the seven-sisters (Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura). Like all other states, Nagaland too has its own issues and problems but one of the major issues is certainly employment. Also, the young generation in Nagaland are compelled to go to Delhi, Kolkata, and south India for education. In the northern belt often they have to face racial discrimination. “We have many issues but employment generation happens to be the chief among them. If we have opportunities in the state then we would not have to come and stay in far off places like Delhi or Kolkata”, said Athrila, a student from Mockokchung.

“I would like to draw the attention of the administration and government. It’s not our fault if we look different from the north Indians, often we face racial discrimination and sometimes it even turns brutal”, said Patsy Chishi.

Polling will take place across 60-Assembly seats in single phase. The number of registered voters in the state stands at 13,17,632, of which 6,61,489 are men and 6,56,143 are women. There are a total of 2,351 polling stations, with Merapani polling station No. 71 in the Bhandari Assembly constituency having the lowest number of voters at 37, and Usutomi polling station No. 12 in the Atoizu constituency home to the highest number of voters at 1,348. The Mokokchung Town Assembly constituency has the lowest number of electors at 8,302 while the Ghaspani-I constituency has the highest at 74,395.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) had resolved to continue with their alliance in the 2023 polls. The Saffron will contest from 20 Assembly segments in the Northeast state while the NDPP, will contest the remaining 40 seats as per the seat sharing agreement.

In the coming days, Nagaland will see intense campaigning with bigwigs like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National President (BJP) Jagat Prakash Nadda, Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge among others.

Nagaland Polls 2023: Young generation to vote on development and employment issue

Assembly elections will take place on February 27, 2023 for the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly. The results will be declared on March 2. The term of the Nagaland Assembly will end on March 12.

184 candidates are in the fray, including 68 from the national parties and 72 from state parties. The magic figure required to form the government in the Nagaland Assembly is 31.

In the last elections, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) entered into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and formed the government in Nagaland after the 2018 Assembly elections, with backing from the Janata Dal (United) and an Independent.

In the last Assembly elections, the NDPP bagged 17 constituencies in the while the BJP and JD(U) had won 12 and 1 seat. The Naga People’s Front (NPF) had claimed 26 of the 58 seats it contested in the polls. In 2021, the NPF joined the ruling NDPP-led alliance to form an all-party government named United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

The NDPP and BJP have announced the same seat-sharing in the 2023 Assembly election. The NDPP has fielded candidates in 40 seats while the BJP is aiming to win the remaining 20 seats. 

Since last Assembly elections, the strength of NPF’s in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly has gone down after 21 of its MLAs led by former Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang defected to the NDPP in 2022. Currently, NPF has just four sitting MLAs in Nagaland.  

EC announces poll schedule in Tripura, Meghalaya & Nagaland

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday held a Press Conference to announce the poll dates in the states – Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. CEC Kumar alongwith Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel took stock of the practical situation across these poll bound states. The team also toon the forthcoming the Board examinations and the movement of security forces.

Polling will take place in two phases – Tripura will vote in a single phase on February 16. Meghalaya and Nagaland will vote on February 27. The courting of votes will take place on March 2, 2023. A total of 62.8 lakh voters will cast their vote in the three states, with around 2.8 lakh new voters added to the list, said Rajiv Kumar.

The tenures of the three assemblies, with 60 seats each, end on March 12, 15 and 22, respectively.

Over an estimated 62.8 lakh electors will take part in the polls across Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura that will include over 31.47 lakh female electors, 97,000 80 voters, and 31,700 PwD voters. Over 1.76 lakh first-time voters to participate in the elections in 3 states.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power in Tripura, and a part of the ruling coalitions with the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in Nagaland and with the National People’s Party (NPP) in Meghalaya.