Imphal: Naga People’s Party (NPF) Manipur state unit president Awangbou Newmai on Friday was inducted in the ministerial berth in the CM N Biren Singh-led BJP coalition government.
Governor Najma Heptulla administered the oath of office and secrecy to Newmai at the Banquet Hall of Raj Bhawan in state capital Imphal.
The newly sworn-in minister Awangbou, 49, who is also the sitting MLA of Tamei constituency of Tamenglong district, said that he is grateful to governor Heptulla and CM Singh for making him as one of the ministers in the N Biren Singh ministry.
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He also expressed his gratitude to the NPF party central president Shurhozelie Liezietsu and his colleagues for nominating him to be the minister.
The newly sworn-in minister is now looking forward to the assignment and assured to carry out his duty with utmost sincerity.
However, so far, the state government is yet to announce the portfolio to be assigned to the newly inducted NPF minister.
With this latest development, NPF, who is also alliance party to the ruling government, has two ministers. The other is PHED minister L Dikho and another party MLA Leishiyo Keishing is the advisor to the chief minister.
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CM Singh, minister Th Bishwajit Singh, minister Th Radheshyam, minister Karam Shyam, minister V Hangkhanlian, minister N Kayisii, minister L Dikho, MP Dr Lorho Pfoze, MP RK Ranjan and other state officials were present in the swearing-in ceremony.
BJP had 21 MLAs after the 2017 Assembly elections; however, following the eight Congress defectors, including former minster Th Shyamkumar, joining the party, the tally increased to 29. NPF has altogether four MLAs.
Earlier, there were reports of rift between the two parties after NPF claimed that the ruling party BJP looks down on its alliance partner. However, the air has cleared with this new development.
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