Neiphiu Guolhoulie Rio (born 11 November 1950) is an Indian politician who is serving as the 9th and current Chief Minister of Nagaland since 2018, previously 2003 to 2014 and from 2018 till date. He is the only Nagaland Chief Minister to have served five consecutive terms, and is the longest serving Chief Minister of Nagaland. He was also a Member of Parliament from Nagaland in Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2018.
Neiphiu Rio | |
|---|---|
 Rio in 2010 | |
| 9th Chief Minister of Nagaland | |
| Assumed office 8 March 2018 | |
| Governor | |
| Deputy |
|
| Preceded by | T. R. Zeliang |
| In office 12 March 2008 – 24 May 2014 | |
| Preceded by | President's rule |
| Succeeded by | T. R. Zeliang |
| In office 6 March 2003 – 3 January 2008 | |
| Preceded by | S. C. Jamir |
| Succeeded by | President's rule |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 26 May 2014 – 28 February 2018 | |
| Preceded by | C. M. Chang |
| Succeeded by | Tokheho Yepthomi |
| Constituency | Nagaland |
| Leader of the House of Nagaland Legislative Assembly | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Neiphiu Guolhoulie Rio 11 November 1950 Tuophema, Naga Hills District, Assam, India (now in Kohima district, Nagaland, India) |
| Political party |
|
| Other political affiliations | |
| Spouse | Kaisa Rio |
| Relatives | Zhaleo Rio (brother) |
| Residence | Sovima |
| Source: Nagaland Government | |
Early life and education
editNeiphiu Guolhoulie Rio was born on 11 November 1950 to an Angami Naga family from Tuophema. His mother and father were Kevilhouü and Guolhoulie Rio.[1][2] He received his early education from Baptist English School, Kohima and Sainik School, Purulia, West Bengal. He attended college at St Joseph's College, Darjeeling and later graduated from Kohima Arts College.[3]
An active student leader during his School and College days, Rio entered politics at a very young age. He had headed many organisations before becoming the Chief Minister of Nagaland. He served as the President of Kohima District United Democratic Front (UDF) Youth Wing in 1974. He was also appointed the Chairman of Northern Angami Area Council in 1984. He also had been the honorary Vice-President of Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland branch.[4]
Political career
editOn entering politics, Rio contested the Nagaland Assembly elections of 1987 unsuccessfully as an Independent Candidate. Rio was first elected to Nagaland Legislative Assembly as Congress (I) candidate from the Northern Angami-II constituency during the 7th General Elections of 1989. He was appointed the Minister for Sports and School Education and subsequently as Minister for Higher & Technical Education and Art & Culture; also served as Chairman in Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation, Nagaland Khadi & Village Industries Board and Development Authority of Nagaland. Rio was again elected from the same Constituency in 1993 as Congress (I) candidate and appointed Minister for Works & Housing.[5] As a member of the Indian National Congress, Rio was Nagaland's Home Minister as part of the cabinet headed by S. C. Jamir from 1998 till 2002 when he resigned from the ministry accusing Chief Minister S. C. Jamir of blocking a negotiated settlement of the vexed Naga issue.[6]
As Chief Minister
edit
After his resignation, Rio joined Naga People's Front which partnered with other Naga regionalist parties and the state branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under his leadership to form the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), a coalition which won the 2003 state elections, bringing the 10-year-long rule of the Indian National Congress in the state to an end. Rio subsequently took office as Chief Minister on 6 March 2003.
Before completing his first term, Rio was dismissed as Chief Minister when President's Rule was imposed in Nagaland on 3 January 2008.[7] However, his party emerged as the single largest party in the ensuing elections and Rio, as the leader of DAN, was invited by the state Governor to form the government on 12 March 2008. During the 2013 Nagaland State elections, NPF won a thumping majority and Rio was re-elected as Chief Minister for a third term.[8]
At a memorial service in Kohima for the victims of 2021 Nagaland killings, Rio said "I am hopeful that the country and the rest of the world will not only understand the Nagas’ story but also the want for lasting peace."[9]
Achievements
editRio has played a key role in setting up the Music Task Force, the first music industry in the country. He was awarded The Mother Teresa Millennium award for his outstanding leadership and contributions to politics in Kolkata in the year 2007.[10]
Personal life
editRio is married to Kaisa Rio. Together they have five daughters and one son.[11] His brother Zhaleo Rio was elected to Nagaland Assembly in 2013 and 2019 from Ghaspani II Constituency and was the Deputy Speaker of the assembly in 2018. His mother Kevilhouü Rio died on 1 January 2020, at the age of 92. His father had died 30 years before his mother's death.[12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Who is Neiphiu Rio?". Matters India. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ "Chief Minister: Government of Nagaland :: Neiphiu Rio". Nagaland Government. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- ^ "Nagaland: Tribal body claims rich, influential exempted from institutional quarantine". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- ^ "Bio-Data of Neiphiu Rio". nagaland.nic.in. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
- ^ Nagaland Government State Portal- Neiphiu Rio
- ^ PTI (20 September 2002). "Nagaland home minister Neiphiu Rio resigns". The Times of India. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- ^ Press Trust of India (6 January 2008). "Rio hints at going to court". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 January 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- ^ PTI (5 March 2013). "Neiphiu Rio, 11 ministers take oath in Nagaland". The Hindu. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- ^ Nath, Hemanta Kumar (9 December 2021). "Oting incident was a misuse and abuse of AFSPA: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio". India Today. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- ^ "Nagaland: Rio receives Mother Teresa award". Oneindia.com. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- ^ Taneja, Richa (8 March 2018). "All About Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland's Chief Minister For Fourth Term". NDTV. Retrieved 14 April 2022.
- ^ "Nagaland Chief minister mother passes away". Nagaland Post. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
External links
edit- Profile at Nagaland NIC.
Media related to Neiphiu Rio at Wikimedia Commons- Neiphiu Rio extends ‘best wishes’ to Khrievitso Kense, youngest player shortlisted for IPL auction
