Chief minister Shurhozelie Liezeitsu and his cabinet pose with the governor of Nagaland. Credit: Facebook/We the Nagas
Kohima: Shurhozelie Liezietsu was sworn in today as the chief minister of Nagaland by governor P.B. Acharya.
The 81-year-old Liezietsu along with 11 ministers was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Acharya at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima.
The new chief minister is at present not a member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He will have to get elected within six months from taking office.
Liezietsu, on Monday, became the consensus candidate for the CM’s post after the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland unanimously elected him as leader of its legislature party at its meeting attended by 59 MLAs.
Nagaland has a 60-member assembly.
Liezietsu, who is the Naga People’s Front president, succeeds T.R. Zeliang who stepped down on Sunday amidst protests by various tribal organisations against the state government’s decision to reserve 33% seats for women in urban local body elections.
Liezietsu had been a member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for eight terms but did not contest the 2013 assembly elections. He is also the chairman of the ruling DAN.
The ministers inducted today were Kiyanilie Peseyie, Yanthungo Patton, P. Longon, C. Kipili Sangtam, C.L. John, Yitachu, Paiwang Konyak, Vikheho Swu, Chotisuh Sazo, Imkong L. Imchen and G. Kaito Aye.
Out of the 11, Imkong L. Imchen and G. Kaito Aye are the new faces.