GUWAHATI: Bowing down to sustained agitation by the tribal bodies, Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang has stepped down from the office.According to a statement from Zeliang on Sunday, “To select a new consensus leader to succeed me, I hereby call for an emergency meeting of Naga People's Front (NPF) legislature party on Monday. This will be followed by a meeting of Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) legislature party.”He added that meeting will select a consensus leader to ensure a smooth transition of office and to provide the best governance to the people of Nagaland.In a fast changing political drama in Nagaland, majority of MLAs of ruling DAN, who were camping in a resort in Assam, moved back to Nagaland on Sunday. In a meeting, they decided to elect NPF legislature president Dr Shürhozelie Liezietsu as its leader.On Saturday, around 49 MLAs has switched loyalty in favour of Lok Sabha MP and three-time former CM Neiphiu Rio to be the next chief minister of the state. On February 15, they have petitioned incumbent chief minister TR Zeliang to step down and has put their weight behind Shürhozelie.NPF president told ET, “We still hold the trump card and things will be normal soon. Rio was mulling to come back as chief minister.There is unrest following opposition to 33 per cent reservation of women in Urban local bodies (ULBs).

Source: Economic Times February 19, 2017 13:41 UTC