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Kohima, March 19 (EMN): The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Saturday unanimously elected Independent MLA, T Yangseo Sangtam as the deputy speaker of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on the first day of the eleventh/Budget session.
A first time legislator representing 60 Pungro-Kiphire Assembly Constituency (AC), Yangseo Sangtam was the lone candidate to file nomination for the post of Deputy Speaker , which was vacant since February 2020. Sangtam’s candidature was proposed by KT Sukhalu and second that by H Haying.
Rio and Zeliang congratulate Sangtam
Felicitating Sangtam, Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio said, ‘In the kind of parliamentary democracy that India has, the state government represented by the council of ministers is answerable to the legislative assembly through questions, debate etc., including various house committees conducted under the control and superintendent of the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker’.
Stating that the effectiveness of various mechanism largely depends on the good functioning of the assembly, which in turn depends on the way the business of the house and its various committees are conducted by the Speaker or the deputy speaker, Rio stressed on the important roles of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker in the functioning of a parliamentary democracy.
Rio maintained that although Sangtam is relatively young, as the newest member of the house, he has good experience in various capacities of political and non-political platforms.
“On a personal note, I find Yangseo Sangtam as a mature person with a pleasing and vibrant personality. This together with his experience in public service will place him in good stature while discharging duties of the Deputy Speaker,” Rio opined. He viewed that beginning a political career as Deputy Speaker will enrich Sangtam and build-up his future career. Adding that NLA has a good tradition of orderly and dignified conduct of business in the house, he exuded hope that under the leadership of Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the house will continue to maintain the proper decorum.
The chief minister further assured Sangtam his whole hearted cooperation in discharging of duties.
Congratulating Sangtam, NPF legislature party leader and chairman of United Democratic Alliance (UDA), TR Zeliang, assured to extend cooperation and conveyed best wishes in his discharging duties as the new Deputy Speaker.
Meanwhile, the newly elected Deputy Speaker of the NLA, T Yangseo Sangtam, expressed his gratitude to all the members for electing him to the post unopposed.
“I am extremely thankful to our Chief Minister and leader of NPF legislature party leader and UDA Chairman for the felicitation and good wishes extended to me and also for assuring full cooperation,” Sangtam said.
‘The responsibility you (members) have reposed on me is a solemn test, which cannot be fulfilled without full cooperation and assistants from all of you. I am confident, I will be able to discharge my duties as expected of me in a dignified manner,’ said the newly elected Deputy Speaker in his acceptance speech.
Further, he assured to sincerely strive and sustain the tradition of decorum, decency and dignity that NLA has been maintaining, while pledging to treat all members equally.