Expansion of DAN ministry today

This was stated in a communiqué from the Chief Minister’s Office here today.

Expansion of the T.R.Zeliang ministry will be complete, after the second and final phase of the induction of three cabinet ministers and appointment of nine parliamentary secretaries takes place on Friday, May 8. 

Meanwhile, according to informed sources, the three who will be inducted into the cabinet include two from the NPF- Yitachu and Vikheho Swu(both to be elevated from parliamentary secretary) and Congress Legislature Party leader Tokheho Yepthomi.

It was also disclosed, that former NPCC president S.I.Jamir will be appointed as Adviser to the chief minister with cabinet status and Congress legislator Imtikumzuk will be made deputy speaker, a post that fell vacant after Er.Levi Rengma (Ind) was appointed as parliamentary secretary.

Of nine who will be administered oath of office as parliamentary secretaries include four from the NPF- Shetoyi, Pukhayi Sumi, E.E.Pangteang and Dr. Benjongliba Aier (who was a cabinet minister prior to the January 5 crisis). The other five to be appointed as parliamentary secretaries are from the Congress and include- Khekaho Assumi, Eshak, Dr.Imtiwapang, Hukavi and C.Apok Jamir.

The second and final phase of induction to the T.R.Zeliang ministry comes after the first induction on April 26 when one parliamentary secretary was elevated to the cabinet (P.Paiwang for the BJP) and five others appointed as parliamentary secretaries that included four independents-Er. Levi Rengma (deputy speaker), Amenba Yaden, Y.M.Yollow Konyak and Toyang Changkong Chang and Mmhonmulo Kikon of the BJP. The induction Congress legislators into the T.R. Zeliang ministry comes after the party decided to pledge support to T.R. Zeliang and then voted for the government in the February 5 vote of confidence in the assembly. 

In addition, the fallout of the “internal crisis” within the NPF has strengthened the leadership of NPF president Dr. Shürhozelie and chief minister T.R. Zeliang and brought the Congress party, which was the principal opposition in the assembly, to become part of the coalition government. Prior to the sequence of events following the January 5 dissidence, the Congress was the principal opposition and from May 8, the assembly will witness an opposition-less house or an all-party government.

It may also be recalled, that the BJP has been opposed to the inclusion of the Congress in the DAN-III coalition government, which was also echoed by BJP national president Amit Shah during his visit to Dimapur on April 17. 

On the other hand, newly appointed NPCC president K.Therie had on May 6 also reiterated that the Congress will have not truck with “communal forces” by being part of a government having BJP as an alliance partner. 

The opposition by the AICC to Congress joining the DAN government was echoed by NPCC president K. Therie and led to speculations that the 8-member Congress legislature could float a new party. However, Congress legislature sources denied the speculation and reasserting that they would remain with Congress. 

The sources also informed, that after the induction on May 8, the eight Congress legislators will fly to Delhi to meet with the AICC leaders and brief them about the compelling development. 

After the final phase of induction, the T.R. Zeliang ministry will retain 24 number of parliamentary secretaries and 12 cabinet ministers. 

It was also learnt, that chief minister T.R. Zeliang will not announce allocation of portfolios on Friday. He was likely to do so after a couple of days, the sources said. The following will be inducted on Friday: