Kohima, June 1 (EMN): In a new twist to the political scene, forty-one years old academician and human rights activist, Kekhrie Yhome from Kohima village today declared his candidature to represent the 10 Northern Angami-I assembly constituency (AC), should the Election Commission of India (ECI) decides to conduct bye-election for the seat which is currently lying vacant.
Khriehu Liezietsu had recently vacated his seat from 10 Northern Angami-I AC in a bid to pave way for the chief minister and his father, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, to represent the assembly seat in the event the ECI announces to hold a bye-election. Although Dr. Liezietsu is not an elected member of the assembly, he was chosen ‘unanimously’ by the ruling DAN legislature after the then chief minister TR Zeliang had to step down in February this year following the impasse between the State government and tribal organisations over ULB issue.
Interestingly, Yhome, the new contender, not only hails from the same village as the incumbent chief minister Liezietsu, but they also belong to the same ‘Khel,’ meaning their clans have common ties.
Yhome, who is a newcomer in the State electoral politics, while announcing his candidature at a press conference today in Hotel Aurora, Kohima, admitted that he does not belong to any political party yet. He candidly stated that he is presently an orphan in politics but hoped that all likeminded political parties excepting NPF would give their support.
Yhome, who is also considered a fine conversationalist, said the point in him standing in the coming bye-election is to bring about a new pattern on how ‘we think.’
He felt that a new thinking- a radicalised thought in the pattern of hope for the future- is important rather than talk about development issued or about things in and around the people. He asserted that he will not follow the pattern of ‘Chanakyan politics’ and speak what the public wants to hear, as he is of the view that this is how politics is played, how votes are gained and people are fooled.
Without mincing words, he also expressed his raw opinion on the prevailing state of affairs in Nagaland, saying that as a result of the perpetual political instability pervading the Twelfth Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the general public has been exposed to series of “totally uninspiring and unnecessary events”.
While pointing out that the State had seen three chief ministers in just a span of four years, while a speculative “hobnobbing for a fourth one” is looming, Yhome maintained that trust deficit is on the high, both in social perception and over leadership qualities, adding these unfortunate developments overall affect the state of affairs, healthy governance, and community peace.
Yhome openly asserted that his being in the position and stands today was in complete defiance to money-power and money-politics. Asserting that the will of the people is supreme, he said the people must know that the vote they are giving is their will and that it comes from ‘their heart and goodwill.’
“I will not be interested in buying votes for the heck of winning. I have decided that I shall not be buying votes, and I shall not allow people to let me buy their votes. Let me be very clear here,” he admitted.
Remarking that a bold direction on governmental ethics is absolutely imperative, he underscored the serious need to build an intelligent society that will see ‘incremental growth’ in common consciousness, discourse, and accountability.
Yhome also maintained that in order to regain the original values of democratic principles, the people must freely decide who should become their representative rather than allow ‘feudal politicians to dictate’ what the citizens should do or think.
Yhome was also vocal about the alleged talks doing the round in which the chief minister had met the villagers and consulted on the possibilities of being elected uncontested if there was a bye-election saying, “This is where I shall not make way for him (Liezietsu),” he stated.
In the event if his village council asked him to stand back and not to contest against Liezietsu in the bye-election, Yhome said he cannot do anything but to asked the council if they would have similar magnanimity to allow him to stand for the elections and ultimately get him elected uncontested. On being asked how ready he is for a face-off with the chief minister of the State, Yhome said he is aware of the consequences of fighting against a political veteran like Liezietsu. However, he pointed out that, for somebody who has been into politics since 1969, Liezietsu has done very well for himself to the extent of becoming a chief minister. Yhome was of the opinion that Liezietsu has reached the pinnacle of his career. “Our thinking defines our hopes. Our hopes define our future. It is the united task of one and all to assert for our collective good and future,” Yhome added.
