Nagaland: Chief Minister TR Zeliang resigned

Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang resigned as Chief Minister of the state on 19 February 2017. He resigned in the backdrop of widespread protests in the state, which was triggered due to government’s decision to reserve 33 percent seats for women in urban local bodies.

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Zeliang’s resignation was accepted by the Governor PB Acharya. As per reports, the governor has asked Zeliang to continue till further arrangements were made.

In a statement, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Zeliang was stepping down and a consensus leader will be chosen on 20 February 2017 at Naga People's Front (NPF) Legislature Party meeting. The NPF meeting will be followed by a meeting of DAN (Democratic Alliance of Nagaland) in Kohima.

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In the 60-member assembly, the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland comprises 48 NPF legislators, including suspended legislator Imkong Imchen, four of BJP MLAs and eight Independents.

As per reports, Neiphiu Rio, the former Chief Minister and sole MP from the state, appears to be a front-runner for the Chief Ministership. In the 60-member Assembly, Rio is said to be commanding the support of 49 MLAs, including eight Independents.
At least three MLAs, including Speaker Chotisuh Sazo, are with party President Shurhozelie Liezitsu.

The Chief Minister decided to resign from his office after a political crisis erupted in the state on 18 February 2017. As per reports, over 40 legislators of the Naga People’s Front were moved to a resort in Kaziranga National Park in the neighbouring state of Assam. They were seeking to replace Chief Minister T R Zeliang by former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

TR Zeliang

• Born on 21 February 1952 in Mbaupungwa village of Peren district, Zeliang is a political leader of Nagaland People's Front.

• He was serving Nagaland as its Chief Minister since 2014.

• He took over the charge of Chief Minister of the state by former chief minister Neiphiu Rio who shifted to national-level politics in Delhi.

• Earlier, Zeliang has served as a Member of Parliament by representing Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha.