I am prepared to accept responsibility: TR Zeliang

Amidst speculation around who will succeed Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, senior minister T.R. Zeliang said he will not mind if responsibility is given to him to lead the State Government.

Media reports have been speculating that PHED minister Noke Wangnao and Planning minister T.R. Zeliang are vying for the top post.
“I’m prepared to accept the responsibility if the elected members and the party (NPF) has confidence in my leadership,” informed Zeliang to Newmai News Network this evening. “I will always respect the majority voice,” Zeliang added.

“It all depends on the elected members of the party and will decide only after the Lok Sabha poll result is declared,” he stated.

It may be noted that two months ago when Rio’s name was cleared as the consensus candidate of the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), in which the Naga People’s Front (NPF) is the principal constituent, for the Lok Sabha polls in Nagaland, names of Home minister G Kaito, T.R. Zeliang and NPF chief Dr. Shurhozelie were speculated. However, after the poll, the names of Noke Wangnao, seniormost member of the DNA III cabinet cropped up as one of the contenders for the top post, while the names of Home minister Kaito and Dr. Shurhozelie left the speculation board.

There are altogether 38 NPF legislators in the 60-member Nagaland legislative assembly. T.R. Zeliang was Rajya Sabha MP for a term, after which he returned to state politics and contested in the 2013 Nagaland assembly election.