The decision of twelve councilors of the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) to move a No Confidence Motion against the present Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson is unbelievable to say the least. Only last year in February, a similar rebellion had taken place involving more or less the same people leading to the ouster of the first Chairperson and replacement by the incumbent who is also now on his way out. If anything, the happenings in the DMC are nothing but a game of cat and mouse, a political circus or simply put, playing musical chairs. All this is very unfortunate given that the DMC has a major responsibility of running the affairs of Nagaland’s biggest and most promising commercial hub. Rather than becoming a role model for local governance DMC by its own failings has become a non entity losing whatever legitimacy to represent the welfare of the public. Worse still, the DMC members as elected representatives have abused the mandate they have received from the public by indulging in such unwanted amusement. The DMC may never be able to work in the way it should function given the ugly turn of events that has now repeatedly divided the very council right down the middle. For the ruling NPF government in the State the continuing turmoil in the DMC does not bode well for the party especially given the fact that Dimapur is without doubt, the stronghold of the NPF.
Whether or not the Parent NPF Party will take disciplinary action against its dissident members inside the DMC remains to be seen given the fact that several NPF councilors have appended their signature to the petition demanding the ouster of the Chairperson and his Deputy. If past experience is to be taken into account, no such disciplinary action is likely to take place. Rather the amusement of playing musical chairs may continue thereby seriously undermining the role of governance and diverting from the priority areas of planning and development of the State’s commercial capital.
Coming back to the No Confidence Motion, even if one group comes out on top, the damage done to the functioning of the DMC by this latest power tussle is almost beyond repair. In such a situation it would be better if the District Administration seriously consider taking over the municipal and instead call for a fresh election. While this may not be legally feasible, the Deputy Commissioner must apply his mind and assess whether any new formation will be able to provide a stable administration.
It was commented in this column during the earlier power struggle when present Chairperson Tovihoto Ayemi was brought in that “the last word has not yet been said on the DMC power struggle” and that “at best the DMC may experience an uneasy calm Post-Vikheho under the new Chairperson”. This forecast has come true following the latest revolt against the present incumbent. It had also been earlier suggested that the two warring groups can agree to a formula of rotating the post of the Chairperson. There are at least greater chances that the DMC may be able to work to some extent on the basis of mutual agreement and cooperation. A winner-loser situation for either group may only cause more turmoil and make the DMC a dysfunctional body. Greater moral sense must now prevail over the DMC members and as public servants, they will be expected to put behind the game of politics and instead focus on a common agenda for the overall development and running of the Dimapur municipality area. If issues are put up front there are at least greater chances that the DMC may be able to work to some extent. But if politics has its way it may only make it impossible for the DMC to function.
