Raucous opposition bench puts up hostile front

Kohima Bureau Kohima, March 26 (EMN): A host of speakers from the opposition bench on Monday participated in the general discussion of the budget presented by the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on March 23. Chotisuh Sazo criticized the budget as ‘hollow and not people-centric’ while Yitachu said the budget has given more confusion than highlighting the programmes of the government. Chumben Murry claimed the budget deviated from the core issues concerning the welfare of the people, particularly the farmers. One of the points which the opposition members raised vociferously was the setting up of “Centre for Peace and Non-Violence.” Both Yitachu and Y Vikheho Swu opposed the setting up of such a centre, while Imtiwapang Aier dismissed it as a waste of money. “The way Naga political issue has come about cannot be confined to a peace centre,” Yitachu said. Swu said that the present period was the most sensitive and serious part of the Naga struggle, and therefore, suggested the PDA government to have a second thought on the issue. Aier, while admitting the ‘urgency’ to arrive at a solution to the Indo-Naga political issue, reminded the state government not to ‘blindly accept’ any solution.  Chotisuh Sazo pressed the government to bring all the political groups under one umbrella. “The government cannot expect to bring solution without bringing all the political groups together,” Sazo said. An argument also took place in the assembly today on the issue of atrocities happening against the Christians and minorities across the country. Imkong L Imchen was most vocal among the MLAs from the opposition bench. Imchen, while stating that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) carried out persecutions and atrocities against the Christian communities in the country, directly slammed the BJP as responsible for all the atrocities committed against the vulnerable sections. What followed was a heated argument between Imchen and the JD (U) legislator G Kaito Aye who, in his address, said “there are more important issues to discuss in the assembly rather than stick to a topic which is beyond our reach and not confined to the Naga populace.” Imchen retorted that the assembly was the right platform to discuss the issue and said he will raise the issue ‘again and again.’  Sazo also claimed that atrocities against Christians have increased after the BJP came to power under the leadership of Narendra Modi.  “This House should join hands to protect the Christians,” Sazo said. The opposition bench also opposed the government’s plan idea to ‘expand’ the Hornbill Festival. The government has proposed the idea of 2-3 days of mini Hornbill festival in all district headquarters. The opposition bench called it ridiculous and waste of money. Interestingly some NPF legislators, who were part of the previous government, even went to the extent of suggesting suspension of the Hornbill festival citing costs to the state’s exchequer. “Rather than improving it, the Hornbill festival will drain our economy,” Chotisuh said. Aier also reiterated the same opinion saying “we are spending crores of money just for the Hornbill festival, but we are getting nothing in return.” Pangteang also had the same concern stating that Hornbill festival will lead to more economic loss. ‘Best budget in recent times’ However, the ruling bench declared it as one of the best budgets presented in recent times. KT Sukhalu said the budget appeared to be a well arranged document covering all aspects of people’s welfare. He told the opposition bench to be constructive rather than mislead the people all the time. Minister for Agriculture, G Kaitao Aye asked the opposition bench to be not very critical already while stating that the government was yet to implement its policies and projects. Aye recalled that the previous government did not get enough time for developmental works due to the quarrel and chaos amongst the members. Advisor Namri Nchang described the budget as ‘meaningful, appropriate and the best budget’. Nchang also accused the previous government of failing to give any opportunities to the educated unemployed youth of the state. Minister Jacob Zhimomi countered the NPF saying that BJP is a secular political party under a secular nation. Instead, Zhimomi asked the opposition MLAs to play the role of a constructive opposition by displaying their maturity and not to mislead the people by directly condemning a party without reasoning. On atrocities against Christians, Zhimomi said he will be the first to condemn any such incidents. “There is a lot of hue and cry today. But let us all execute our maturity as elected leaders to represent our people,” Zhimomi asserted. “The BJP is committed to development and the security of our people. Let us all be positive and work towards building our state,” Zhimomi said and further reminded the NPF members not to have double standards. Zhimomi also told the house that there is no second thought or any sort of apprehension that the PDA government will not last. He reiterated that the PDA government under Rio’s leadership is stable and will last for its full tenure. Zhimomi further said that Rio’s decision to come back to the state has given the Naga people brighter hope.