The 60 elected members of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly after the swearing in ceremony on March 14. (DIPR)
Ordinary people want healthy political exchange for growth and progress
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 17
The task of any political discourse is to show how power, rationality, fairness and progress may be conjoined. The agency of this merger is the state and the good state seeks to simultaneously endow power with reason and to enthrone reason and fairness on the seat of power. This aforementioned idea is an amalgamation of views collected by The Morung Express from everyday people on the recently held sessions of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Different people came up with their views on specific issues regarding the Assembly sessions. Unemployment, infrastructural development, educational progress, political reconciliation etc were all a part of the reactions to the sessions. However, there was a common thread which ran among most of them. This common factor dealt with a concern; that the need to change or progress would be overlooked in the face of virtually unchallenged power in the hands of the present government.
“I feel there will be no change brought to the state. I was not in support of any political party but I did want a change in the political atmosphere,” states Asu Jamir, a government employee from Kohima. “With an almost non-existent opposition right now, that change seems near impossible.”
Asu further expresses his pessimism that rational willingness to initiate progressive change would suffer due the aforementioned reason.
Kevi Angami, a student from Dimapur reacts, “The Chief Minister has just reiterated the Government’s promise to step down if the Naga political issue is resolved. We have heard this for a long time and I’m frankly fed up of it.” He adds, “There is a lack of new political language on this issue, which brings me to the point of ‘change’.”
Joshua P, a teacher from Kohima expresses his dismay at the estimated closing deficit of Rs 927.51 crores for the year 2013-14. “The Chief Minister’s statement on the deficit estimate is disconcerting to say the least.”
The CM on March 16 had sought approval for the withdrawal of Rs 2913 crores from the Consolidated Fund of Nagaland. Joshua reacts to this by saying, “2913 crores! Regular people cannot even comprehend the enormity of the amount. I’m sure it takes a lot of money to run the government but when people like me hear of such massive amounts, we feel dismayed over the lack of development in basic infrastructure.”
Frustration over the lack of infrastructural development has existed for quite some time and many people express their hope for a positive change in terms of development.
Atoki Shohe from Kohima states, “It’s good to see roads and power taking a centre stage in the discussions. I’m cautiously hopeful of a change in those fields and it’s reassuring to see the opposition calling out the ruling party on those issues.”
Atoki referred to the CLP leader, Tokheho Yepthomi questioning the DAN government’s achievements on March 16 in the Assembly. He expressed hope that the opposition would stick to issues that matter and refrain from “needless mudslinging” or “emotional outbursts.” He added, “Good sense and reason must prevail in political debates.”
Theja from Kohima, who admitted his support for the DAN III government, stated that in spite of the absolute majority, the present government should be open to criticism and change. “The voice of the disgruntled sections must be heard. The CM has stated that the voice of the opposition would be respected and I think that is admirable,” he said.
In spite of personal political affiliations, a number of people have expressed desire for an inclusive government that is open to progress. This is a call for a government that exercises power through rationality, fairness and equality.
