Nagaland gets new chief minister - Shürhozelie elected unanimously by DAN legislators

Nagaland governor P.B. Acharya with Shürhozelie Liezietsu at Raj Bhavan on Monday. Telegraph picture

Umanand Jaiswal, TT, Guwahati, Feb. 20: Shürhozelie Liezietsu will be the new chief minister of Nagaland.for anti-party activitiesis not a sitting MLA having for them in the ULBs, the irony is that women were on the street as bandh volunteers to the call of tribal organisations to topple my government."

He said his government took the decision to hold the polls to pre-empt the Supreme Court from giving any verdict which could adversely affect Article 371(A) which provides special rights to the state. He also said that Naga aspirations and rights were above all.

Along with his colleagues and the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, he also thanked "my good friend, long-time colleague of more than two decades, Rio, for his efforts to bring normalcy in the Naga society at this moment when various organisations have brought the entire society and the functioning of the government to a grinding halt".

Zeliang became chief minister in 2014, replacing Rio.

Shürhozelie told this correspondentthis evening that his immediate priority would be to bring back normalcy. He said the issue of revoking Rio's suspension was with the party's disciplinary committee.

He will be the 17th chief minister of Nagaland and third from DAN after Rio and Zeliang.

In his acceptance speech, Shürhozelie lauded Zeliang's "supreme sacrifice" of vacating his chair to save the Naga people from further turmoil. "He has done this with a big heart and I want all to recognise this sacrifice."

Seeking the support of everyone, he admitted that "a lot of damage has been done to the fair name of Nagaland and our economy has been adversely affected in the last few weeks. But I hope good sense will prevail so that people can come together and rebuild our society. I appeal to the people of Nagaland to initiate the healing process giving due recognition to the sacrifice made by the outgoing chief minister."

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THE PROTESTS & FALLOUT

Dec. 21: Nagaland EC notifies urban local body polls with 33 per cent reservation for women, triggering widespread protests

Jan. 28: Total bandh called for not deferring polls

Jan. 31: Protests against government for going back on its Jan. 30 agreement to defer polls for two months; two die in police firing 

Feb. 1: Polls held in 15 of 32 urban bodies amid curfew and bandh after Gauhati HC orders constitution of urban bodies 

Feb. 2: Zeliang cabinet declares polls null & void, arson in Kohima 

Feb. 5: Cabinet decides to get state exempted from Part IX of Constitution (women’s quota)

Feb. 7: Protesters give Zeliang three days to quit 

Feb. 9: Zeliang meets Union home minister Rajnath Singh, governor declares urban polls null and void

Feb. 14: Board exams begin, exempted from strike 

Feb. 15: 42 of 48 NPF legislators elect Shürhozelie Liezietsu as leader 

Feb. 16: Acharya, Zeliang go to Delhi

Feb. 17: Acharya meets central leaders. Over 40 NPF MLAs, supporting Rio, camp at Kaziranga 

Feb. 18: Acharya, Rio return to Kohima

Feb. 19: Zeliang returns to Kohima, briefs MLAs and quits to end standoff

Feb. 20: Shürhozelie elected consensus leader & Zeliang chairman of DAN co-ordination committee