Writer and social activist Kekhrie Yhome will contest the by election to the 10 Northern Angami-I assembly constituency which was vacated by sitting MLA Khriehu Liezietsü to enable his father and chief minister Dr.Shürhozelie Liezietsü to enter the state assembly.
Yhome who also hails from Kohima village, told media persons here today that there was no clarity on which party he will contest since ECI were yet to announce the schedule. Yhome said he was trying to establish contacts, reach out the people and undecided on which party he would contest but rather hoped to get support of other parties.
He also lamented on what he described as “perpetual political instability” pervading the present 12th NLA and the general public being exposed to a series of totally uninspiring and unnecessary events.
He said during the span of four years, three chief ministers were sworn-in with looming speculations of a fourth before the tenure of the 12th NLA ended.
Yhome expressed concern over trust deficit in society and leadership which were unfortunate developments that affected the state of affairs, healthy governance and community peace.
He admitted that he was a green horn in politics but expressed confidence that he would get the votes of all like-minded parties who are not NPF.
Asked why he chose to enter politics , Yhome he said his entry was to bring a “new thinking” rather than talk about developmental issues. He said Nagas need “new thinking” and that he will stress on the new thinking which everyone talks about as this was not instilled in the society.
Yhome added that intellectual society can start ascertaining their rights and can start questioning who should be their representatives and this will come only when an eccentric new thinking was brought about.
He stressed on the “new thinking” which was not merely to speak what people wanted to hear but to speak when called to speak on crucial issues. Yhome said he learnt that Dr.Shürhozelie called all Kohima Village elders and expressed his desire to be uncontested. If Kohima Village Council (KVC)asks him not to contest the by poll, since having a chief minister from the village was a pride, Yhome said if he agreed, he would ask “the village council if it would be magnanimous to let him stand for the next state general election and get uncontested?.”
He said to regain the original values of democratic principles, people must freely decide who should become their representatives rather than allow feudal politicians to dictate what citizens should do or think.
Yhome also informed that he was aware of the consequences contesting against the chief minister as he (CM) has all state machineries and will use maximum resources, yet he said it was not important to talk of his opponent yet he said CM was at his prime, reached the penance of his ultimate career since he started his political career in 1969 and said “I think he has done very well for himself”.
He said those in power fear only one thing in life, “when the clock starts and stops ticking”, and said CM was on borrowed time, occupied the chair as guest and his appointed time will get over on August 21 after which the will of the people was necessary.
Being a veteran politician Yhome said CM should not shy away from a straight election rather than dictating from his residence, telling people to let him get unopposed.
On the use of money clean election, Yhome said will of the people was very important and said he will try his best to reach out everyone stating that he want people to know that the vote they casted was sacrosanct and the vote for him or other was on their will.
He said “money is starting to define politics”, and said he has no interest to buy votes and said he has decided not to buy votes, will not allow people to let him buy their votes.
Kekhrie Yhome hails from Kohima village, 41 years and was involved in so many organizations including Naga Movements for Human Rights and presented papers in many conferences at national and international level.