I have no intention to teach anybody as I have very little knowledge about political ethics and its parlance nor will I be able to highlight the plethora of the subject except to react to profanity instance with specific reference to a recent public statement. As ex-member we were taught from Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business how to conduct ourselves, what languages to be used and how to avoid using un-parliamentary words in the house.
If a member ignores the ethical rules and uses bombastic and unpalatable language in his speech the Honorable Speaker is vested with the authority to expunge those un-cultured words from the proceedings of the house. While speaking a member is required to address the Chair from time to time for the purpose of drawing his attention as well as showing due respect to him. Not only inside the House but including outside the elected members are expected to be role models in all respect.
While observing the statements of spokesmen of political parties in Nagaland, I like to give a brief remark candidly. To me political parlance is as important as the objective of the statement when one makes it. Being humble and giving due respect to a political opponent does not necessarily degrade one’s status rather it is the reverse.
In fact, I was drawn to the text of the ‘NPF’s rejoinder to Congress leaders’
By NPF as appeared on 16-5-06 in local dailies. In this, the Press Secretary Ssi. R Phapino, on behalf of NPF party tried to clarify point wise some of the criticisms leveled against DAN recently by NPCC President Sri. Hokheto Sumi. As in the introduction I like to observe the ethical aspect of the rejoinder then on the contentious issues.
Firstly, the Press Secretary failed to address Sri. Hokheto as President of NPCC and from beginning till the end he was addressed as a mere public individual by name. Whether or not Sri. Hokheto Sumi is heading the NPCC as its President at the moment and he is addressed as President. I do not believe the Press Secretary of NPF hates to call Hokheto as President of Congress but failing to attach the status of the latter is found unethical. Sri. Hokheto has democratically attacked the actions and policies of DAN perhaps in the interest of the citizens of the state.
Sometimes, such barbs hit the individual or party hard and painful and the attacker earns only irks from the attacked. Yet, the mature politicians are expected to remain rational, magnamonious and rise above emotions and do not allow the political mores to get diluted under such circumstances. Also, one can be reactionary but not to be too allergic to criticism or correction.
While one is in power one can always expect two reactions from the people, that is praise and curse. In the like manner, many detractors from within and outside may not like to call Sri. N Rio as Chief Minister but by name. Yet, whether one likes it or not N Rio is the Chief Minister of Nagaland today and by not addressing him by his status one cannot degrade him. Rather, the one who refuses to recognize him as the Chief Minister will get himself exposed as immature and fickle-hearted.
Secondly, my second observation is that every time both inside and outside the House of the DAN ministers, MLAs and workers have the habit of citing the errors committed or allegedly committed by Congress ministry during its long sting while replying to questions and reacting to criticisms. To cite the latest example, ‘the fratricidal annihilation first emerged during the time of Congress rule in Nagaland… and the scourge is continuing till today’.
NSCN was born in 1980 and split of NSCN took place in 1988 and definitely factional clashes started during Congress rule. There is no argument over the issue of during whose term factional clashes started since it could not happen during NPF’s regime when it captured power only in 2003. What I expect and is important is what wrongs, if any, had committed by Congress should not be repeated by NPF and what was good and acceptable foundation set, if any should be perused.
Any error committed by the predecessor should not be taken as the license for committing similar mistakes by the successor or he mistakes of the predecessor be used as camouflage for the mistakes of the successor. Every successive leader and ministry is expected to bring improvement either in law and order problem or in development activities and responsively shoulder the responsibilities that come one’s way. Such should be the spirit of competition between the contending parties so that the masses are given maximum benefit which indeed is the quintessence of democracy. Otherwise it becomes monopoly which begets autocracy.
If better infrastructure developments are provided to Kohima by DAN befitting the capital of the state everybody is expected to appreciate. The Capital deserves better roads, adequate water supply, regular supply of power, improved system of sanitation and of landslide prone areas. Nothing is wrong if someone is trying to change the chaotic condition of Kohima town into a model capital in the country. Do your best.
Yet to say that ‘Congress has done nothing in Nagaland during their… ten years inning’. Why don’t you ask your Honorable Chief Minister as to whether anything worth the name development was done by Congress anywhere in Nagaland or not from 1993-2003. I am not supposed to know more than him. And if the Chief Minister Rio agrees with you your charge is substantiated. Also to say that ‘Ten years of Congress rule was used as an opportunity for aggrandizement by Congress leaders and workers’.
Yes, I am sure there were commissions and omissions of leaders and workers of Congress during its rule and therefore if any Congressman ever tries to claim perfection I will definitely differ. But can NPF leaders and workers claim purity. Are you branding Congress leaders and workers as demons? Are the NPF leaders and workers angels? Are you trying to claim the status of angels on attaining 3 years rule? Better read John 8:7 and let us not go to that extent because nobody is immaculate. We, the politicians, irrespective of parties, have surely become ‘short of the glory of God’ and of the expectation of our people. I have learnt that wise person learns from his mistakes and wiser person learns from the mistakes of other too.
Z. Lohe
Ex-speaker
