Guwahati: Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu was sworn in as the new chief minister of Nagaland by the Governor, P B Acharya at Raj Bhavan in Kohima on Wednesday morning along with 11 ministers.
The ministers sworn in were: Kiyanilie Peseyie, Yanthungo Patton, P Longon, C Kipili Sangtam, C L John, Yitachu, Paiwang Konyak, Vikheho Swu, Chotisu Sazo, Imkong L Imchen and G Kaito Aye.
The octogenarian president of Naga People’s Front (NPF), Shurhozelie Liezietsu was chosen as the chief minister of Nagaland on Monday in place of T R Zeliang who resigned on Sunday under intense pressure from agitating tribal organisations.
The tribal organisations have been demanding ouster of Zeliang for his government’s decision to hold Urban Local Bodies (ULB) polls with 33 % reservation for women. The election had to be called off because of the violent protests. The tribal bodies opposed the polls because of reservation of seats to women, which they deemed in violation of Naga customary laws.
Shurhozelie who is not an MLA and belongs to Angami tribe, will now have to seek an election within six months. He was an MLA for eight consecutive terms, but did not contest election in 2013. The NPF is the major constituent of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) with 48 legislators in the 60-member Nagaland assembly that has no opposition. All other MLAs in the House including -eight independents and four of BJP- are in the ruling alliance.Tribal organisations demanding ouster of Zeliang as the CM, have already withdrawn the indefinite Nagaland government bandh called by them since February 6 last, in the wake of resignation by T R Zeliang.
The agitating tribal groups, however, persist with their demand for amendment to Nagaland Municipal Act so that the provisions do not infringe upon Naga customary laws as far as women reservation is concerned. They also continue to demand suspension of Dimapur police commissioner over the death of two persons in police action against protestors on January 28.
Shurhozelie is not only a politician but also an eminent scholar, author and a linguist. He began his political career as a member of Nagaland Legislative Assembly in 1969 from northern Angami-I under Kohima district.
During his long political career, he held different portfolios, including education, planning and coordination and urban development. Liezietsu was the minister for higher education till 2013. One of the founding members of Nagaland’s first regional party– United Democratic Front (UDF); Liezietsu had played an important role in the formation of Nagaland Peoples’ Front (NPF) in 2002. (With inputs from PTI)
