Rev. Aheto Sema
In a democratic form of government, the common people believe that a healthy opposition is essential for the sound working of democracy. There is a vigilant opposition, constantly on the alert and keep an eye on the government's policies and actions. When there are well-informed critics they are ever ready to expose the wrongs committed by the government. It can bring to light its acts of omission and commission. As such the ruling party can hardly afford to be slack and negligent in the performance of its duty towards the country/state to provide an efficient and sound government. In sum, the role of opposition is to ensure stability, legitimacy, accountability and transparency in the political process and governance.
As I understand the role of the opposition party/parties are very important and crucial in the democratic process. Unfortunately in recent years Nagaland seems to be one of the pioneers in forming the opposition-less government in India and it is disgraceful to make a big boast out of it. Is it not an assault on democracy in running an opposition-less government in Nagaland? Why did our elected members of assembly want to form an opposition-less government in the first place? Indeed, it is nothing short of a political harum-scarum pact having no substantial ingredient to feed on. What more evidence do we need to prove! The entire system was broken down yet it was okay with the government!
But have we given a thought on why our elected members of legislative assembly have tendency to hang on to an opposition-less government? Why do all of them want to be in the ruling government leaving no one in the opposition? Why do all of them want to be cabinet ministers, ministers of state or parliamentary secretaries at least as a last resort? Do they really have people in mind when they do horse trading? Do our present elected members of legislative assembly still have that instinct in their blood as they are like old wine in the new wineskins?
I observed serious political and practical flaws in the concept of opposition-less government that was obnoxiously experimented in recent years in Nagaland. First, the opposition-less government is driven by position and money power thereby doing all sorts of tricks and unethical practices to be with the ruling party(ies). It is not for the sake of the people that all the parties are riding on the same boat. Instead, it is for their own convenience and benefits that they are all on the same boat no matter how stinging and uncomfortable inside. Second, the opposition-less government is without guiding principle. Any political party that lacks guiding principle is farce. There is no vision, no mission, no direction and no road map for the development of the state. Every elected member consumes the central funds that are meant for the development of the state through various unfair means. They are running the government by hook or by crook. As someone has rightly commented that opposition-less government leads to party less government. Hence, in this context it is not exaggerated to say that opposition-less government is more of enjoyment and entertainment government. Third, the opposition-less government viciously lacks transparency and accountability in all spheres of governance. As the government is run by power mongers, the entire system is based on appeasement and one’s own quota attitude. This practice leads to manipulating the entire system for one’s own personal interests and agendas. Fourth, the very idea opposition-less itself carries perverted and corrupt idea of governance. Indeed, opposition-less government strengthens and enhances corruption extensively. Corruption breeds comfortably under its loose system.
As the formation of the new government is almost taking the final shape, it is equally important to consider the election verdict that it clearly favours the role of an opposition in the formation of new government in Nagaland. This people’s mandate is to be taken seriously by all the political parties. If this aspect is sidelined and undermined it would bring the worst nightmare for the people of Nagaland. Do not ever repeat an opposition-less government in Nagaland for God’s sake please!
