Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) MLA Zhaleo Rio is all set to become the Deputy Speaker of Nagaland Assembly. He will be declared elected unopposed as no other candidate has been fielded by any other party for the post till the end of filing of nomination on Saturday.
Nagaland Assembly secretariat informed that the date of filing nomination was 12 noon till March 24, and date of withdrawal from 1-4 pm the same day.
The election for the post of Deputy Speaker will take place on March 26.
Zhaleo is the younger brother of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. A former IAS officer, Zhaleo was elected to the Nagaland Assembly from Ghaspani II Assembly constituency for two consecutive terms since 2013.
Er. Vikho-o Yhosu of NDPP was elected Speaker of 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He defeated Opposition NPF candidate Dr Imtiwapang Aier by six votes. Yhosu secured 33 votes while Aier secured 26 votes. Yhoshu was elected to the State Assembly for three consecutive terms since 2008.
NDPP legislator Er. Vikho-o Yhoshu was elected as the new Speaker at the first session of Nagaland Assembly on March 13.
People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) had nominated Er. Yhoshu of Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) while the opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) fielded the former Speaker Dr Imtiwapang Aier for election to the post of Speaker NLA.
Er. Yhoshu secured 33 votes of the 59 polled votes while Dr Imtiwapang Aier got 26 votes.
The ruling PDA government has 34 MLAs in the 60-member House while Opposition NPF has 26 MLAs. PDA partners NDPP has 18, BJP 12, NPP 2 and one each from JD (U) and Independent.
Chief Minister Rio on March 22 appointed 20 PDA legislators as advisors to various state government departments. The strength of Cabinet ministers in Nagaland House is 12.
NDPP legislator Zhaleo Rio did not find any place either in the Rio Cabinet or as advisor. Now with his election as Deputy Speaker, all the PDA MLAs will be accommodated.