I would like to lay my humble viewpoint on the ongoing crisis within the NPF party, which has far reaching consequences to Naga society as a whole.
In Naga history, one observes that the Angami people have been blessed by the Almighty with leadership qualities and were given numerous opportunities to serve the Naga people in various capacities, both overground or in the Naga national movement: One may recall the names of former chief ministers TN Angami, JB Jasokie, Vizol and Neiphiu Rio, and in the Naga movement leaders like AZ Phizo and others. These leaders were accepted by Nagas as a whole because they were/are visionaries and looked beyond tribal walls or village gates.
But in the present scenario, especially crisis within the NPF party, one wonders whether the NPF has lost direction or whether the Angamis are losing the blessings of the Almighty.
The NPF under Dr Shurhozelie as the party president has crossed all limits of democracy and appears to be dictating like a God or an ancient king. How many leaders and elected representatives have been suspended/served show cause notices by the NPF in the last couple of years? Is it the Naga culture to behave like a dictator and dismiss other fellow citizens at one’s whims?
Earlier and till the time of Rio, Angami leaders did not suspend or serve random notices to anybody but rather sought the cooperation and blessings of all leaders and people in the interest of Nagas as a whole. With due respect to an elderly and respected leader, I would at the same time like to point out why Dr Shurhozelie speaks only in English or Tenyidie. At least 90% of Naga people do not understand Tenyidie and many Naga brethrens, especially in rural areas do not speak English. To be a true Naga leader, one also needs to also learn and speak Nagamese, to communicate with all Naga tribes. Is the NPF president really Nagamese illiterate or is there a motive behind the pretence?
For a true Naga leader to be respected by all Naga people, one has to give up the mentality of ‘this is my land, obey my command, speak my language’ as in the long run domineering attitude is liked by no one.
Can political party like the NPF, the oldest regional party in the NE region and the vanguard of the Naga people’s aspiration, remain a dumb and mute spectator to the dictates of any leader confined to the four walls of his own hearth or village?
Kevise Sogotsu
Ex-candidate,
Northern Angami II A/C
