PDA candidate Sharingan Longkumer was unanimously elected Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. (Image: Yanthungo Patton/Twitter)
Hailing Longkumar for being elected to a second term, Leader of the House Neiphiu Rio congratulated him on being elected unopposed to the office.
The ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate Sharingan Longkumar was on Monday unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Longkumer won the Aunleungden constituency in Mokokchung district for the second time as a candidate of the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in the assembly elections held on 27 February.
Barring Longkumar, no other MLA had filed nomination for the post of Speaker.
Mhathung Yanthan, the pro-tem speaker of the newly constituted House, declared Longkumer unanimously elected as the speaker.
Lauding Longkumar on being elected for a second term, Leader of the House Neiphiu Rio congratulated him on being elected unopposed to the office.
“Longkumar has conducted the proceedings of the last 13th Vidhan Sabha in an excellent and dignified manner and given his ability and rich experience. We have unanimously decided to entrust him once again with the prestigious office of the Speaker.”
With the ruling PDA, of which the NDPP and BJP are pre-poll alliance partners, having an absolute majority with 37 MLAs in the 60-member assembly, the House is without opposition as other political parties have submitted their ‘letters of support’ to the chief. Minister Neiphiu Rio.
The strength of other political parties in the current assembly is NCP – 7, NPP – 5, LJP (Ram Vilas), Naga People’s Front (NPF) and Republican Party of India (Athawale) – 2 each, JD(U) – 1 and Independent – 4.
While the ruling party has not yet declared it as an opposition-less government, the toilet for legislators has been named “All Political Party Lobby”.
Chief Minister Rio also congratulated Salhoutuonuo Kruse and Hekhani Jakhlu Kens for becoming the first two women legislators of the state assembly.
Rio said, “Each one of us present today is committed to serve our people to achieve peace and development in our state.”
In his acceptance speech, Longkumar thanked all the MLAs for the trust, confidence and privilege reposed in him by electing him unopposed as Speaker for a second term.
He said that the basic element and essence in parliamentary democracy has always been to present a government with a mandate that addresses the most relevant issues of public concern through discussions, deliberations and decisions in the larger interest of the people.
The Nagaland Assembly is second to none in such matters of public importance, the Speaker urged all members of the new House to participate and contribute by raising concerns of public importance in the larger interest of democracy.
On his part, he confirmed prioritizing and strengthening the various committees of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly in strict compliance with the established rules. “This would be a sincere effort in support of the present government’s efforts to bring in a robust system of transparency and accountability in governance,” said the Speaker.
read all latest politics news Here
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)