DIMAPUR, JUNE 21: Against the backdrop of the political mess that the ruling NPF is struggling with, Nagaland on Tuesday witnessed the launch of a new regional party by the name of Nagaland Congress at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur.
Former NLA speaker, and treasurer of the newly formed Nagaland Congress, Z Lohe explained the reasons behind the emergence of the party. He stated that the electoral processes in Nagaland were in mess and administrative system in chaos.
“The only factor that attracts the attention of the electorate is the degree of wealth an aspiring candidate possesses. The sacrosanct criterion for eligibility of a leader is how generous and lavish one can raise the price for vote. A leader may be politically rich but if economically poor, he stands no chance.”
The common refrain today, he said, was “he is good but he has no money” and “he is not that good but he has money”. Eventually, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly is composed of those who have money and the mess is the consequence, Lohe said.
He said that the newly formed Nagaland Congress would seek to change this. “It is for the people to respond and if anyone desires to have a difference to go for reformation, to replenish the destroyed systems and to establish a government by the people, of the people and for the people to come over and be a part of the change”.
There is hardly any political party in Nagaland today which is political oriented, he said. “The electorates are no more interested to listen and know politics nor do they believe in politics. The election manifesto of a party is non-issue. The commissions and omissions of a party in the past are irrelevant.”
Without referring to anyone in particular, Lohe said that Nagaland today was managed in the manner of running a private firm. “There has to be a political platform where politicians do and talk politics above ‘isms’. The political platform has to be serious about moral rearmament of both the leaders and the electorate for the purpose of free and honest election. This platform has to ensure that the political leaders are made to serve and not to be served.
“The need of the hour for Nagaland is change and this change can be brought about at the sincere and dedicated initiative of few humble leaders. But a change cannot become complete at the initiative of those leaders alone till positive response comes from the people,” he stated.
While pitching “change” as the party’s mantra, Lohe said that the proposed change was not going to be easy. “But what the people can do for their party is the thesis and what their party can do for them is the antithesis which is the lighthouse at Nagaland’s shore.”
Former Minister, and the president of Nagaland Congress, Nillo Rengma also said that the purpose of forming Nagaland Congress as a regional political party was to provide transparency in governance and accountability to the public and to give all-round development and equal opportunities to the people of Nagaland.
“Our aim is to reform Nagaland, safeguard the rights of Nagas, to make it free from corruption and clean the electoral roll. In this matter, Nagaland Congress will fully support the church to make clean election a reality in the state” said Rengma.
Nagaland Congress will strive for unification of all Naga inhabited areas under a single administrative unit, to protect the rights and privileges of minorities living in Nagaland and to promote and safeguard the traditions and rich cultural heritage of Nagas, according to the veteran politician.
The Nagaland Congress will also “fully support the Indo-Naga peace process for early settlement which should be acceptable to all sections of the people”, he said.
After the launch of the party, the leaders of the newly formed political party addressed the press. According to the party leadership, the Nagaland Congress was committed to providing suitable platform to aspiring leadership and public participation towards preserving, protecting and promoting the welfare of Nagaland by being “national in outlook and regional in context”.
When queried if the party name has been borrowed from the Indian National Congress (INC), the officials replied that the word “Congress” has been borrowed from the dictionary, and being a democratic country, anyone was free to use the word in an appropriate manner.
They also said that the idea was to be an independent political party where, unlike other parties, they don’t have to wait and seek from the central command to function or execute plans and policies.
The Nagaland Congress office bearers for a tenure of three years was elected which will be headed by Nillo Rengma as president, treasurer Z Lohe, vice presidents Dako Phom, Prasielie Pienyu, Khuosatho, general secretaries S Supongmeren Jamir (administration), Vaprumu Demo (media & spokesman), GK Rengma (finance) and Dr Roland Lotha (protocol & frontals).
On the day, veteran politician Nillo Rengma also hinted that he will be contesting the next general elections.
