Naga People’s Front leader and Chairman of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, TR Zeliang, was on Wednesday sworn in as the State’s Chief Minister, five months after he had to resign amidst protests.
Governor PB Acharya administered him the oath of office. Zeliang later told newsmen that he would face the floor test on July 21. The Cabinet members will be sworn-in only after the floor test, he said.
The Governor has asked him to prove his strength in the House on or before July 22. Zeliang becomes the 19th Chief Minister of the Northeastern State.
He was appointed Chief Minister on Wednesday morning by the Governor as the embattled incumbent Shurhozelie Liezietsu and his followers failed to turn up to prove a majority in the House, as directed by Gauhati High Court on Tuesday.
The House was then adjourned sine die.
The court had dismissed Liezietsu’s petition for a stay on the Governor’s directive to him to seek vote of confidence in the House on or before July 15.
Zeliang had to quit on February 19, amid State-wide uproar over elections to urban local bodies. He had approached the Governor on July 9, claiming the support of 42 NPF MLAs in the 59-member House.