Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 26
Two-time MLA from Ghaspani-II, Zhaleo Rio of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) was elected as Deputy Speaker of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) unopposed on Monday.
Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshü announced that Rio's candidature was proposed by CM Chang and seconded by KT Sukhalu. With Zhaleo being the only member to have filed nomination to contest the said post, the Speaker declared him elected unopposed.
Felicitating the new Deputy Speaker, Leader of the House and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio lauded the members for electing Zhaleo Rio by consensus, according to the highest tradition of the House. He expressed optimism that the House will greatly benefit from the various experiences the Deputy Speaker elect bring with him in both government and public life. The CM pointed out that the role played by the Deputy Speaker’s chair is of vital importance in the functioning of the House as he would have to carry out the responsibility in conduct of the proceedings of the House in the Speaker’s absence, besides the other duties. He acknowledged Zhaleo’s service as a NCS officer in different capacities in different districts before being inducted as an IAS in 1997. He further stated that the government will benefit from the new Deputy Speaker’s vision and farsightedness in conducting the affairs of the Assembly in the highest democratic tradition.
Also congratulating Zhaleo, Opposition leader TR Zeliang stated that the Opposition bench had decided not to field any candidate to respect the former’s experiences and calibre as a bureaucrat and a second time legislator. “We are happy to make him our Deputy Speaker,” Zeliang said.
Maintaining that the NLA has a high tradition in its rich heritage, he said the Opposition bench expects that the Deputy Speaker will ensure impartiality and unbiased attitude from the chair, particularly towards the Opposition bench, and deliver justice to all the members irrespective of political party affiliations. “We assure our cooperation to your chair in conducting the proceedings of the House in a most cordial manner to pave way for an orderly House,” the Opposition leader stated.
In his acceptance speech, the new Deputy Speaker thanked all the members for electing him unopposed to the dignified post. He said the responsibility that has been reposed on him was a solemn task which cannot be fulfilled without the cooperation and assistance from all the members of the House. Towards this, he sought cooperation from each member, with which, he was confident to be able to discharge his duties as expected of him. “On my part, I shall sincerely strive to sustain the high tradition of decorum, decency and dignity that NLA has as its heritage. I shall also endeavour to discharge my functions and responsibilities in conformity with the spirit of unanimity,” Zhaleo stated.
