Kohima, March 26: Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) legislator Zhaleo Rio was on Monday elected unanimously as Deputy Speaker of the 13th Nagaland Assembly.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister, C.M. Chang proposed the name of Zhaleo and was seconded Advisor School Education, K.T. Sukhalu.

Speaker Vikho-o Yhosu declared Zhaleo elected as Deputy Speaker as theOpposition decided not to nominate their candidate.

Zhaleo is the younger brother of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. A former IAS officer, Zhaleo was elected to the Nagaland Assembly from Ghaspani II Assembly constituency for two consecutive terms since 2013.

Congratulating Zhaleo, Chief Minster Neiphiu Rio urged all the members cutting across party line to support and extend cooperation to the newly elected Deputy Speaker.

In his felicitation to the newly elected Deputy Speaker, veteran Naga People’s Front leader and Opposition Leader, T.R Zeliang said that Zhaleo who has been a bureaucrat for a long time and a member of the August House for the Second time, respected his caliber as the Dy. Speaker. Hence, the Opposition decided not to nominate their candidate and was pleased to make him the Deputy Speaker of the House.

“The Nagaland Assembly has a high and rich tradition and heritage. The Opposition Bench expect that there will be impartiality and unbiased attitude particularly towards the Opposition members,” Zeliang said.

delivering his first speech as Deputy Speaker Zhaleo said that he was grateful to all the members of the House for electing him as the Deputy Speaker unopposed for the dignified post.

“The responsibility that has been imposed on him today is a solemn task which cannot be fulfilled without the true cooperation and assistance of the members of the House,” he said.

Zhaleo promised that he would sincerely strife to sustain the high tradition of decorum, decency and dignity of the Nagaland Assembly.