Nagaland

 Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) legislator Zhaleo Rio has been elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker at the first session of the 13th Legislative Assembly.

The Congress party also issued a statement saying it had directed its rank and file to back "secular party candidates to save the people from sinking in the 'Hindutva quicksand'

The maiden visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to poll bound Nagaland on February 22, has generated palpable excitement among the Nagas as they expect to hear something concrete on the peace `framework agreement’ signed between the Centre and insurgent outfit NSCN (IM) as a solution to the vexed Naga problem.

Battle lines have been drawn in the run-up to the February 27 elections in Nagaland and Meghalaya and as many people, including Christian leaders, suspect voters are turning toward pro-Hindu party BJP in these Christian-majority states, the row over religious chauvinism seems inevitable.

The Election Commission today announced a two-rounds poll schedule for Assembly Elections for Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland with elections in Tripura scheduled on February 18 and that for Nagaland and Meghalaya on February 27.