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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 18 (EMN): The newly elected legislators, who won the bye-elections held to fill up two vacant assembly seats, were sworn in as the members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) at a ceremony on Wednesday.
NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer administered the oath of office to Medo Yhokha (NDPP) and T Yangseo Sangtam (Independent) separately at his office chamber in Kohima. The swearing-in ceremony for the former was held in the morning and the latter in the afternoon.
Yhokha, who won the 14-Southern Angami-I assembly seat, took oath in the presence of G Kaito Aye, Minister for Agriculture and Cooperation; Neiba Kronu, Minister for Planning andCoordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs; Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, MLA and Advisor, Urban Development and Municipal Affairs; and his party leaders and supporters from his constituency.
On the other hand, Sangtam who won the 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly seat, took oath in the presence of his wife, Dr. Thritingla and a group of supporters from his constituency.
The two legislators signed the roll of members of the assembly in the presence of the commissioner and secretary, NLA, Dr. PJ Antony.
The speaker welcomed and inducted them to the 13th NLA. He informed that the PDA ally BJP was informed about the ceremony and its legislator S Pangnyu Phom, who is also the incumbent Health minister, was supposed to attend it but had to cancel after a close relative had passed away.
Minister of PWD (Housing & Mechanical), Tongpang Ozukum, who was also supposed to participate the ceremony, expressed regret over his inability to attend as he is under home isolation after some of his staff were detected positive for Covid-19.
Yhokha, in his brief address, assured to discharge his duties to people, uphold the constitution of India, and respect the dignity and sanctity of the August house.
It may be mentioned that ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) currently has 20 MLAs while its ally BJP has 12. Opposition Naga Peoples Front (NPF) has 25 NLA members and two Independents.
The 51-Noksen assembly constituency is currently vacant following the demise of MLA CM Chang on October 12.