‘Save Nagaland, Join the Revolution’

Kahuto Chishi avows full transparency and accountability

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | February 22

Corruption and political malfeasance has been at the forefront of discussions driving the state general elections in Nagaland. Among its most vocal and visible critic has been Kahuto Chishi, who declared his candidature from Dimapur III Assembly Constituency as an independent. 

Contesting against Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party’s first-time candidate, Hekani Jakhalu, incumbent MLA Azheto Zhimomi from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Independent candidate Lun Tungnung, and Vetetso Lasuh of the Indian National Congress, Chishi’s primary focus was on providing full transparency and utilization of funds from government schemes, projects, regulation of public institutions, among others. 

Under the slogan of “Save Nagaland, Join the Revolution,” his campaign has thus far been aimed at gathering loyal support from people who envision a better form of governance in the state. “The underlying issue is that there is no governance in Nagaland,” Chishi proclaimed.    

Returning back from a public meeting held at Doyapur, Chishi told The Morung Express, that he had been ‘dragged’ into the fray after observing no change in the state of affairs in Nagaland. “I’ll go to the source of power which is politics and that is why I have entered politics,” he said. 

Full transparency 
His election manifesto consists of a brief list of plans and actions which he states will be implemented in letter and spirit if elected to power. These included, setting up tailoring stations for the unemployed youths, full implementation of midday meal schemes, maintenance and repair of all primary schools, full staffing and stocking of primary health centres.

In addition, he pledged full and direct transfer of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) funds and its complete job card coverage, transparency in allocation and utilization of Local Area Development Funds.

Notable among his promises was the absence of ambitious and expensive projects, which he justified by saying, “Let’s get back to basics, forget about running, we have yet to learn how to stand.” 

At the same time, Chishi criticized his opponents by alleging that they were only out there to make a profit and not to work for the betterment of the lives of the people. 

“Nagas are generally good people but it is very unfortunate that only the corrupt have managed to grab power,” he said.  

Standing on moral ground
Chishi’s rise to prominence has been largely attributed to the role of social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube. A phenomenon which he was not shy to admit to, “Now people recognise me everywhere I go,” he said.  He further claimed that, no Naga candidate has gained so much trust and love from the Naga people irrespective of tribal affiliation because “I’ve got the moral authority.”   

Counting on his support base, he asserted that his ideas have resonated with the poor and working class people the most. However, whether the support will translate into votes during polling day was another aspect altogether. “I’ll either win by a huge margin or lose by a big margin,” he admitted. 

However, he mentioned that his election campaign has been successful at winning the trust of the people thus far. “If I lose, ordinary Naga people will not be able to enter into politics next time,” he claimed.