Nagaland and its citizens have again become proud owners of another landmark building as the new assembly complex was inaugurated in the State capital Kohima recently. While it is welcome to see such a development taking place—after all in any democracy the Legislature finds a place of high eminence and respect—whether the institution of the Legislature will itself become the hallowed portal that it is meant to be remains a moot point. Having such a massive building cannot in anyway be translated as success or the vibrancy of the legislature in the State. While no doubt embracing the ballot (as against the bullet) has given rise to dialogue and deliberation as a way of resolving problems and issues at hand, parliamentary democracy as practiced and developed in real terms over the last so many years in Nagaland has not been up to the level of people’s expectations. From a socio-political dynamic, it is obvious that evolving the practice of democracy in the Naga context has not been always a pleasant experience. However this should not be an excuse for the lapses that has occurred—corruption, nepotism, money and muscle power—leading to the degeneration of democracy itself.
While a deep cleansing of the democratic process is required to throw the dirt out from the present system, there is also a need for certain corrective measure to make the functioning of the legislature more vibrant and relevant to the needs of the people. Firstly, it is a matter of concern that Legislature hardly meets and even if it does, they are woefully of short duration not going beyond 4-5 days at the most. Secondly, what is equally disturbing is that legislative exercise is more government centric rather than participatory in the real sense of the term. Since law making and policy formulation is the primary function of the legislature, the failure at critical examination, to defeat, modify or affect legislation is itself a reflection of the growing impotence of the legislature and also the honourable members who sit in the August house. Whether it is plain dereliction of duty or the fact that MLAs are incapacitated by sheer ignorance, both are matters of concern and needs proper correction in the context of parliamentary democracy in Nagaland.
It will be worthwhile here to address the specific need to strengthen the Legislature in order that it remains an effective tool to keep a check on the government of the day. Further, Legislators would need to be better equipped to function as active and effective participants both inside and outside the Assembly as agents of socio-economic change. Recognizing the urgent need to advance democratic values, practices and institutions, MLAs in Nagaland have as much responsibility to help mould the Legislature and their own roles should be harnessed to meet the objectives thereto. More importantly, our leaders will also have to learn to practice value based politics. It is also essential for members to be well conversant with the Rules and Procedure of the House regarding conduct of business. Hopefully the facility provided by the new assembly complex will be better utilized to achieve the above stated objectives. Merely maintaining parliamentary decorum and decency inside the legislature is not enough. What is required is to transform parliamentary democracy in Nagaland into a functioning and vibrant institution reflecting the aspiration of the people for a prosperous, just, peaceful and open society.
