From Political Participation To Public Accountability
Nagaland stands at a critical political moment.
The present opposition-less political arrangement, in which the NPF and BJP are central political constituents of the governing establishment, has placed an even greater responsibility on every political party represented in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
For Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Janata Dal (United) and Republican Party of India (Athawale), the question is not simply where we sit politically.
The real question is: What do we stand for, what will we deliver, and how will the people judge us?
Our participation in the present political arrangement must never be interpreted as a licence for political silence.
Cooperation on development does not mean surrendering accountability.
Political stability does not mean silence.
Alliance does not mean unconditional support.
Representation does not mean tokenism.
What Should The People Of Nagaland Expect From Us?
We should not ask the Naga people to trust us merely because of our political affiliations.
We must earn their trust through measurable work.
For the remainder of the 14th NLA, our commitment should be judged against clear and publicly verifiable outcomes:
1.ACCOUNTABILITY — Every major development project must disclose its sanctioned amount, funds released, expenditure, physical progress and completion status.
- FAST-MILE DEVELOPMENT— Roads, bridges, electricity, drinking water, healthcare, education and digital connectivity must reach remote villages, border areas and neglected communities.
- FARM TO FACTORY— We must create measurable opportunities for processing and value addition in agriculture, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, bamboo and indigenous products.
- YOUTH EMPLOYMENT— Government programmes must be connected to actual jobs, entrepreneurship, skills and market opportunities—not merely certificates and training numbers.
- WOMEN’S ECONOMIC POWER— Schemes must be measured by sustainable income, enterprise creation and economic independence.
- HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY— Nagaland must build stronger diagnostic, healthcare and food-safety systems that can be accessed by ordinary citizens.
- INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY— Every major project must have a timeline, funding source, responsible agency and publicly trackable progress.
- SPORTS AND TALENT— Announced projects must become functional assets. The test must be simple: Is it built, is it operational, and are our young people using it?
- PUBLIC MONEY — Every rupee spent must carry a public responsibility. We will demand transparency, physical verification and accountability for misuse, delay or waste.
- THE NAGA POLITICAL ISSUE — We stand for peace with dignity, dialogue with sincerity, settlement with honour and implementation with transparency.
FROM PROMISES TO PERFORMANCE
The people of Nagaland have heard enough promises.
Now they deserve measurable commitments.
Before the next Assembly election, we should be able to place before the people:
What was promised.
What was demanded.
What was achieved.
What was not achieved—and why.
What remains unfinished.
What measurable targets will be delivered in the next five years.
That is how political credibility must be built.
A DIFFERENT POLITICAL CULTURE
Nagaland does not merely need another political slogan.
Nagaland needs a different political culture.
A culture of:
Accountability instead of excuses.
Performance instead of promises.
Development instead of diversion.
Transparency instead of secrecy.
Employment instead of dependency.
Empowerment instead of tokenism.
Public interest before political convenience.
OUR MESSAGE TO THE NAGA PEOPLE
We do not ask for your trust because we belong to an alliance.
We ask for the opportunity to earn your trust through performance.
We will support what is right for Nagaland.
We will question what is wrong.
We will demand accountability for public money.
We will speak when the people’s interests are at stake.
And we will measure ourselves by what we deliver—not what we declare.
NO TOKENISM. NO SILENCE. NO EMPTY PROMISES.
LET THE NEXT POLITICAL MANDATE BE BUILT ON TRUST, ACCOUNTABILITY, DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY
The people will judge us.
Our performance will answer for us.
(The views expressed are those of the writer and not of the newspaper)
