‘Healthy democracy cannot thrive without an opposition’

June 25, 2023 33 Views No Comment

Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 25

The Naga Scholars’ Association (NSA) Kohima Regional Unit today organized a panel discussion on “Opposition less government in a democracy: Trends and Challenges” at Kohima College.

NSA Kohima regional unit president Dr Visiezolie Yashii maintained that this panel discussion was not mean to oppose the opposition-less government in Nagaland but to have better understanding of its trends and challenges.

As one of the panelists, Dr Zavise Rume, advisor NSA Kohima regional unit also maintained that the primary objective of the panel discussion is to gain deeper understanding of the opposition-less government and to assess and understand the impact of opposition-less government on the people of Nagaland.

Dr Rume said that after installation of the opposition-less government, many people expressed their opinions opposing the idea. Many individuals had expressed that the state need a strong opposition bench in the government to strengthen the government. However, this opinion did not attract any legislator to volunteer to sit in the opposition bench, Dr Rume added.

He said that there was no party system in Naga traditional political system and added that modern politics emerged with party politics and this has destroyed many cultural and political values.

‘No opposition to policies is harmful to the people’
Dr Rume opined, “We must practice modern politics to promote the traditional system of Naga polity. We must gain the highest degree of happiness which is the ultimate goal of Naga indigenous polity.”

He said that no opposition to policies and programs is harmful and dangerous to the people.

Pointing out that opposition-less government does not mean MLAs can’t oppose the government they are running, he said there is a need for an internal democratic opposition within the government.

Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) must oppose the govt policies or programs or ideologies or principles dangerous or harmful to the people for whom they are elected, he said.

The subject-matter of government does not concern with politicians and social workers alone. It concerns with every citizen.

The philosophy of a democratic government does not confine to the rule of only a certain political party or parties, he said adding “A state or a government should not be controlled by a certain group of people or a certain political party or parties.”

Stating that there should be a healthy debate in the government itself, he opined every member of the legislative assembly should be a critic to his or her own government.

Another panelist Dr David Sachü, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Sazolie College, Phezhu-Jotsoma maintained that healthy democracy cannot thrive without an opposition.

“Ours is different with the idea of solving of Naga political issue,” he said.

Dr Khriezo Yhome, Senior Fellow, Asian Conference, Shillong, Meghalaya said Nagaland became the first state to become an opposition-less government. He however reminded that an all party government is not a new phenomenon and has been in existence. Unless we bring change and have deep thinking it will be difficult and we are not going anywhere, he said.

Dr Tovika Swu, Head of Department of Political Science, Don Bosco College Kohima said that opposition-less govt is dangerous and challenges the existence of democracy. He said the essence of democracy is opposition.

“We elect our representative to be our spokesperson but with opposition-less government the democracy is in danger,” he said.

It is the role of teachers and scholars to make people understand the essence of democracy and politics ideology so that democracy will not be at threat, he said. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr Aosunep, joint secretary, NSA Kohima regional unit.