Morung Express News
Tuensang | November 22
A 93 years old man came all the way from Kiphire in full Sangtam traditional attire to attend the Tuensang People’s Summit which concluded on November 20. “I took pains to come for the summit since I want to see change in my lifetime. I came with the anticipation to meet promising leaders who will provide genuine hope”, he said. The response to the summit in many ways reflected the hope and desperation people have in the political system. This was obvious in the way people came in thousands representing 120 villages to the summit and the empty streets on November 20 said it all, since most stayed glued to the TV to view the live telecast on cable.
The response of the candidates was equally provoking, because most otherwise would have resorted to other means than face the public, who represented the hopes and aspiration of Tuensang district. Of the seven standing members of the Assembly in the district, six attended the session. They included H. Chuba Chang, P Chuba Chang, Heno Khiamniungan, Yamakam Yimchunger, Imtilemba Sangtam and N. Kejong Chang. The intending candidates who came to the summit were altogether thirty six and most of them firsttimers.
It was obvious that due to absence of a clear political mandate people appear to have resorted to their own means and the projection of their village interest seems to have taken an upper hand. However, the summit has in more ways than one brought together varying interest to consolidate ‘common concerns’ of the district. The platform space was not only utilized by the candidates but even common men had the opportunity to dialogue with their leaders. Some very thought-provoking questions raised to them by the people were; “Why is there a need to trade cash for vote, can they not do on your own credibility”, “why involve UGs thereby further obscuring the already muddy water?” One queried “Why do elected members after elections continue to behave like party minister or MLA”? “Should one not be for all, does the fault lie with party men or the MLA himself?
During the debate, battle lines were clearly drawn between the people and the candidates. The discussion not only showed the flaws evident in our leaders but also the failure of people to usher good and responsible governance. The debate repeatedly focused on the failure of people and how party people play the primary role in diverting the attention of elected members from undertaking development. The review of the summit clearly reflected the need for creating consciousness for responsible leadership at all levels, particularly among active party officials, the people entitled to vote and the candidates themselves.
Likewise, one worrying concern during the summit was that at no point did people mention of the significance of civil administration and the police during elections. This could mean people have never known of them playing a positive role in providing ‘just policing’ or that they are totally oblivious to the whole process. The apparent option is now for government to play a proactive role so that people develop hope in the government machinery. It is for the Government to guarantee that even women have access to exercise their franchise to vote.
In the course of discussion, few of the newer intending candidates brought to light the option for ‘visionary leadership’ above money. But how far people can be persuaded of this reality will have to become the common goal of the church, all members of the civil society and the Government.
The presence of Dr. Vinito, consultant UNAIDS was timely since all probable future MLAs were present at the Summit.
He elaborated why the Nagaland Legislative Forum on AIDS was formed. Here each member has to contribute one lakh every year from the LADF fund. All new intending members were told of the decision of the Government and apprised them of the severity of the problem. The contribution by the MLAs he said should not only involve money but the active participation in spreading the message of HIV. “Your presence would do more than the money provided for the campaign”, he had suggested. During the summit, one glaring concern highlighted by most of the politicians was for the need for aggressive action in countering HIV. Many spoke at length the need for collective support in even bringing extra finance to aid the existing initiative.
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