Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 23
Three-time Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today resigned from the chair after being in office for 11 years and three months along with his Council of Ministers.
Rio resigned from the Chief Minister’s post following his landslide victory in the just concluded Lok Sabha polls. Rio defeated his closest Congress rival KV Pusa by a margin of 4,00,225 votes.
While declaring his willingness to contest the parliamentary polls earlier this year, he had announced that he wanted to go to Delhi to play a bigger and important role for the Naga people and the North East region at the national level.
Accompanied by Chief Minister-designate T R Zeliang, Naga People’s Front (NPF) president Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kuzholuzo Nienu, Rio submitted his resignation along with his Council of Ministers to Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar at Raj Bhavan this morning.“I hereby tender the resignation of the Council of Ministers of Nagaland Government being headed by me with immediate effect,” Rio said in his resignation letter.
Governor Kumar told media persons that Rio’s resignation has been accepted but requested Rio to continue in office till alternative arrangement is made.
“I accept your resignation along with the resignation of your Council of Ministers,” the Governor said in the acceptance letter while requesting him and his Council of Ministers to continue till alternative arrangements are made.
“Usually such resignations are unhappy, but this time, even Rio was happy to resign while I have also accepted his resignation with pleasure as he is going to Delhi,” Dr Kumar said.
Subsequently, the newly elected Naga MP also submitted his resignation from the 60-member state Assembly. State Assembly Speaker Chotisuh Sazo, confirming the resignation of the Leader of the House, said “after confirmation I have accepted his resignation”.
Bye-election to NA-II
Consequent upon Rio’s resignation from the CM’s chair and the state Assembly, the Election Commission of India will have to hold bye-election to 11-Northern Angami-II Assembly constituency within next six months. After Rio’s resignation, the Speaker declared the seat against his name as vacant.
