Will Nagaland have an Opposition-less government? People share thoughts with Northeast Live

With the first session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly slated to begin from 20 March onwards, the picture of whether Nagaland will witness an ‘Opposition-less’ government still remains unclear inspite of political parties extending unconditional support to the ruling PDA government of BJP-NDPP.

The alliance partners who had won with comfortable numbers of 12 (BJP) and 25 (NDPP),totalling 37 in the 60-member House, is yet to take a final call on whether it will install an opposition-less government.

But what does the citizens of the state think about an Opposition-less government? Northeast Live spoke to a few individuals from different walks of life to know their thoughts.

The citizens are of the strong view that having an opposition-less government will do no good to the people as there will be no elected member or party to raise the concerns of the public in the Assembly and apprehensive of it’s deliverance as an opposition-less govt.

As such, Thejoto Nienu, Journalist from Nagaland stated, “all political parties have very well expounded the role of Opposition in Democracy ahead of election, but have resolved to lend a hand in strengthening the Government for reasons best known to them.

Neinu viewed that the role of Opposition is now being left to the pressure groups and CSOs.

“People blame the absence of opposition in Nagaland Legislative Asse to hold Govt accountable and transparency, while the Government of the day also claims to glory for records of oppositionless unlike the rest of the state in the country. Unfortunately, neither the elected representatives nor the voters also don’t want to be in opposition. Now, with oppositionless govt in the cards, the state is facing a peculiar system in the governance. If you may recall, because of the frequent defection in the past, the Anti-defection law was introduced in 1980s and it’s over decades now and yet with this Oppositionless Govt constitutional experts may have to find a way out.However, apparently the future opposition will not be political parties if this trends continue with the Opposition-less government but the Opposition in future will be public opinion. Let’s now watch the delivery of the Opposition-less government that is in the offing,” stated Neinu.

On the reasons of political parties extending their support to the ruling government to resolve the vexed Indo Naga Political issue, Thejoto Nienu gave his perspective and said,”it can be resolved with or without opposition as it is a people’s movement and if the negotiating parties decides to bring to an end the protracted Naga Issue everyone would pave the way.”

Meanwhile, NSF President K.Tep, pointed out that it is the desire of the people and the student community to see that there is a strong Opposition.

The NSF president expressing his thoughts on the issue said,”As we live in a democratic country we wish to see that there is opposition to make the government effective. Infact, I see that opposition-less government may not be able to favor the people at large though it is the policy makers who came together to form an opposition-less govt, it is the desire of the people and the student community to see that there is a strong opposition to make a good government as well as a good governance.”

When asked if it (Opposition-less) government was a mockery, K Tep said,”I cannot say that it is a mockery, in fact as per their statement it is for the people. However, to make a good government and for good governance it is very disappointing.”

When sought his response on whether an Opposition-less government will help in resolving the pending issues, the Naga Students Federation president said,”For the interest of the people they (political parties) must have come together but we are very apprehensive because even in the last government they came together to solve the Naga political issue as well as other pending issues which is confronting the state, whereas, we did not see any solution as well as we did not see much positive impact and for which even this time we are very doubtful.”

As for Sedelo Tekhe, Gen Secy Dimapur Students Union, he was of the view that having an opposition-less government makes “does not make sense.”

According to Tekhe, “A state without an Opposition may open a lot of loopholes, where there is no voice to go against the ruling government. When there is no opposition how can we expect things which are going wrong to make it right.”

“Inorder to resolve so many issues the government have come up with such an idea to have an Opposition-less govt. I think with the majority opinion of the House they (Government) can resolve and it is not necessary to have an Opposition-less government. As a democratic country we need to have an opposition in the government.”

If at all it (Opposition-less government) is installed this will be the third time Nagaland will be witnessing an Opposition-less government. In the past, in 2015 and 2021 opposition-less governments were formed during the ongoing term of a government. However, this would be the first ever assembly which is set to be an opposition-less one even before the House has been sworn in.

While, there is no directives as such from the BJP high command on this matter, Nagaland Chief Minsiter Neiphiu Rio who is from the NDPP party had recently told reporters that the final decision on acceptance of an ‘opposition-less’ government will be taken only after proper consultation with the BJP.