National People’s Party (NPP) national general secretary and Meghalaya finance minister, James Sangma, described the “opposition-less government in Nagaland” as an “unhealthy and dangerous trend” which is going to be detrimental for the state.
Sangma said this while addressing a press conference at Hotel Saramati here Saturday after conclusion of the NPP state executive meeting.
He reaffirmed that as the very concept of democracy revolved around dissent, debate, and decision, these fundamentals becomes meaningless “if we don’t have a vibrant opposition.”
He reaffirmed that in order for democracy to really work, a strong opposition was needed.
Sangma reiterated that an opposition-less government was harmful not just for democracy but for the state, its governance, administration, and the entire legislative process.
Sangma asserted that it was necessary to have a strong opposition that was constructive in its approach as this made democracy vibrant.
Asked about the NPP strategy for the forthcoming assembly elections, Sangma said it was the party’s duty to ensure that platforms were created so voices and concerns of the people were heard.
He also stated that NPP would be the party to take up citizens’ issues, which other parties were unwilling.
On the ongoing court case against two NPP MLAs who merged with Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Sangma said since it was still pending with the Supreme Court and sub judice, therefore, it would not be proper for him to make any comment. Sangma, said the matter was being pursued by its legal team and was optimistic that his party will win the case.
Also, addressing the press conference, NPP Nagaland unit president, Dr. Andrew Ahoto, said his party will stand with the people and make their voices heard, since this was possible only through a national party like NPP.
Further, he opined that the North East region can be united only through politics and not by religion, linguistic, culture, caste or creed.
On NPP’s stand on the Naga political issue, Ahoto said if the present government was serious about the political issue, then it should have hold regular consultative meetings with civil societies, Hohos, NGOs and tribal organisations.
The state NPP chief also dared the present government to step down if it was truly concerned about the Naga political issue and fulfil its vow to pave way for solution.
Ahoto also said NPP will fight for solution unlike the PDA government, which he claimed “has built a strong wall, and not a bridge.” He also said “No solution is a solution for the PDA government.”
NPP member, Deo Nukhu commented that the recent consultative meeting called by the chief minister with all tribal Hohos was not appropriate as the Naga Hoho was not taken into confidence. He was of the view that Naga Hoho was considered as the apex body, covering all Nagas, not only of Nagaland but every region.
Claiming that the “Indo-Naga” political issue was not Nagaland problem alone, but a Naga problem, Nukhu asserted that the present state government was narrowing down the Naga issue only for the Nagas of Nagaland and not Nagas of other regions.