Not buying it

It is quite stimulating to listen to political leaders’ words, especially when elections are just around the corner. Likewise, the statements made by the Naga People’s Front (NPF) leaders during their visit to NPF Mokokchung Division on Wednesday were quite interesting. The NPF President, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu’s remarks that Nagaland State’s economy is nose-diving and that we have become fully dependent on others are quite true. He also alleged that the present Government has reduced the Naga people into a parasitic society. Following a flurry of accusations and allegations, the NPF president also spelled out some measures that his party would take to improve the situation if only it was voted to power. It was a typical politician’s word play and there was not much substance to take away from it, regardless of what the party’s supporters may feel. It must be remembered that NPF was in power for over a decade. If only the NPF had done then what it now proposes to do if it was to be elected to power again is quite preposterous. Is there nothing else worthwhile that the NPF can harp on, one wonders. The intelligent voter is not going to buy the NPF president’s agenda. The only point that can be surmised from the whole speech of the NPF president is that all is not well with the UDA government, where the NPF is also a coalition partner.

What, however, was worth lending attention to was the three former legislators joining the NPF. It is too early to pass any judgment on the wisdom of the three former legislators but it can be said that they could have joined the ruling NDPP or BJP, or any other political party for that matter. However, they joining the NPF came in as quite a surprise to say the least. Stalwarts in their own right, even the mere presence of the three former legislators will obviously boost the spirit of the beleaguered NPF party. Another point that is worth a neutral observer’s attention is the NPF Legislature Party leader’s remark that the defection of 21 MLAs is considered the best thing ever happened to NPF. Actually, 21 out of 25 MLAs jumping ship is never really the best thing that could ever happen to a political party but if the NPFLP leader means what he says, then it deserves respect. The other camp argues that it was a merger and not defection but that is another subject.

2023 is not 2003. How the NPF stormed to power in 2003 is not likely to be repeated in 2023. As stated by the party’s working president, the rejuvenation process of the NPF party may be going as per plan but that is what it is – a rejuvenation process. For the good of democracy, and in the interest of the people, it is hoped that the NPF party will grow stronger in order to challenge the ruling dispensation. For that to happen, however, it will require the NPF to come up with something spectacular to capture the imagination of the intelligent voter.