Kohima, November 7 (MExN): The National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland on Sunday voiced strong disapproval for the State government’s move to nominate members to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Referring to the recent reported announcement by Neiba Kronu, Minister, Planning & Coordination, Parliamentary Affairs and Land Revenue that the State Government has decided to nominate members to ULBs for an interim period, the NPP said that the move is highly questionable and objectionable as it is neither constitutional nor democratic.
“ULBs come under the ambit of the Urban Local Government which implies the governance of an urban area, including municipalities, by the people through their elected representatives. When we consider the constitutional provisions and functioning of ULBs in India, it does not come as a welcome sign that our State Government is bypassing a prerequisite entity of a democratic set-up and that is to conduct free and fair elections to the ULBs including DMC and KMC,” the NPP stated.
The Party alleged that the pretext of averting a showdown with regard to the contentious issue of 33% reservation for women in the ULBs not only shows the inability of the State Government to solve crucial law and order issues but also reveals its incompetency in understanding the ground realities of the grassroots politics of which ULBs are integral components.
“How can we expect democracy to prevail when Local Self Governance is not possible in principle?” it questioned.
Terming nomination to ULBs as “totally undemocratic in nature”, the NPP said that nomination will indicate that only a few selected individuals would find favour with their political bosses will be appointed as members of the ULBs.
“This will not only give rise to nepotism and favoritism to prevail but also will lead to more corruption which is at the very root of poor development in Nagaland. There will be total lack of accountability and an increase in the misappropriation of public money which is collected as revenue by the ULBs,” the NPP stated.
Accusing the state government of making an ‘arbitrary decision’, the NPP said that the decision taken without consultation with the stakeholders will create more discrepancies and dissatisfaction from all corners in the coming future and for which the State government should be solely held accountable.
Further, it stated that the step is ‘highly suspicious’ at this juncture considering the State Assembly Elections to be held next year wherein the ruling party and its allies may make the best possible use of a favourable position of their parties and candidates in the municipal areas like Dimapur.
In this regard, the NPP condemned the move, terming it ‘unethical and unconstitutional’ and urged civic bodies, Tribal Hohos, student bodies and like-minded individuals to voice out against such unreasonable and biased steps taken by the State government which can jeopardize the healthy democracy and polity of the state.
It also urged the State government to immediately conduct fresh elections to the ULBs so that people’s belief and faith in democratic principles is reinstated.
