T.R Zeliang to be the new chief minister of Nagaland

GUWAHATI: With incumbent Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio all set to enter national politics; senior minister T.R Zeliang will succeed Rio as the next chief minister of Nagaland.

Rio has contested the Lok Sabha polls from the lone parliamentary seat of Nagaland and is confident of making comfortably to the new Lok Sabha. There was hectic lobbying following Rio’s impending exit from state politics.

Rio who was in Guwahati on Tuesday said, "There were two candidates for the chief ministers post however one has withdrawn from the race and therefore Zeliang will become the next chief minister of the state."

Public Health Engineering Department minister Noke Wangnao and Planning minister Zeliang were in the race for the chief ministers’ post.

There has series of meeting in neighboring Assam by Naga Peoples Front (NPF) MLAs. There are altogether 38 NPF legislators in the 60-member Nagaland legislative assembly. NPF led the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) is ruling the state for second consecutive term.

Zeliang earlier said that he is prepared to accept the responsibility if the elected members and the party (NPF) have confident in his leadership.

"I will always respect the majority voice," Zeliang added.

Zeliang had earlier served as Rajya Sabha MP.