Nagaland Deputy CM Patton declines Land Resources Department portfolio

Our Reporter
Dimapur, April 25 (EMN): Nagaland Deputed Chief Minister Y Patton has refused to accept the Land Resources department being allotted to him in the recent minor reshuffle, saying that he was “contented” even without the additional assignment.

In a minor reshuffle announced on Saturday, Patton, who is state’s Home minister, was relieved of the Roads and Bridges department and reassigned the same to NDPP legislator Chuba Chang. In the meantime, he was allotted Land Resources portfolio which was earlier held by P Paiwang Konyak, who is also minister of Transport, Railways & Civil Aviation.

“Please accept my sincere appreciation and gratitude for your trust and confidence reposed on me by allotting the portfolio of Land Resources Department. I also want to thank you for providing visionary leadership as the Chief Minister in the present coalition government. It is an honour and great privilege to serve our people as a member in the Council of Ministers headed by you and I look forward to work in close co-ordination till such time I enjoy the confidence of your good self and the BJP Party,” read Patton’s letter addressed to the chief minister of the state.

“I respect the recent exercise of your prerogative power in relieving and re-allotment of portfolios. Nevertheless, with deep sense of regret, it is to inform you that I have to gracefully decline and hereby refuse to accept the new allotment of Portfolio given to me, i.e. ‘The Department of Land Resources’ as I stand contented working together even without this additional assignment,” it added.

The deputy CM said that his fellow BJP legislature Paiwang Konyak should continue to hold the Land Resources department as he has been discharging his duties and responsibilities diligently.

He also reassured that he along with all the BJP Legislators will stand firm to the pre-poll alliance commitments with the NDPP and continue to work for the interest of the present coalition government and the welfare of our people as mandated.

Patton also took to his twitter account to convey his gratitude to the Chief Minister. He tweeted “grateful to CM Neiphiu Rio for entrusting me with the responsibility of the Department of Land Resources. However, as Paiwang is doing a commendable job already, he should continue to lead the Dept. In this regard, I have submitted a letter to CM today, declining the new allotment of portfolio and expressing my confidence, as BLP leader, in my fellow BJP Nagaland legislator Paiwang”.