Nephiu Rio, Conrad K Sangma take Oath as CMs in PM Modi's presence

Nephiu Rio took oath as Nagaland chief minister on Tuesday for a record fifth term and People's Party (NPP) president, Conrad K Sangma, took oath as Meghalaya Chief Minister for the second term. Prime minister Narendra Modi was present at the swearing-in ceremony of both the CMs.

Both the states have created the post of two deputy chief ministers. Earlier, both states had just one deputy chief minister each. Former chief minister and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) MLA, Taditui Rangkau Zeliang, and BJP legislature party leader Yanthungo Patton took oath as deputy chief ministers of Nagaland while nine other legislators were inducted as cabinet ministers.

Governor La Ganesan administered the oath and secrecy at a function in Kohima, where apart from Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma were present.


Creating history, the first women minister, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, of the NDPP took oath as cabinet minister. Kruse and Hekhani Jakhalu are the two women elected in the February 27 elections to the 60-member Nagaland assembly for the first time.

In the 12-member council of ministers, BJP got five ministers and NDPP seven.

The other cabinet ministers who took oath on Tuesday include G Kaito, Jacob Zhimomi, KG Kenye, Paiwang Konyak, Metsubou Jamir, Temjen Imna Along, CL John and Bashangmongba Chang. The ruling NDPP (25 seats) and BJP (12) alliance retained power in Nagaland for a second straight term by winning 37 seats together in the 60-member assembly. Rio broke the record of SC Jamir by becoming the chief minister for the fifth time.

In Meghalaya, governor Phagu Chauhan administered the oath to the 12-member council of ministers. Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar took oath as deputy chief ministers. Tynsong was earlier the deputy chief minister.

Eight MLAs from the National People's Party (NPP), two from United Democratic Party (UDP) and one each from the BJP and the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) were sworn in as ministers.