Editor,
As we observe the political scenario in our state, it becomes clear that the battle has begun. The majority of political parties are fighting tooth and nail to select the best candidate for their party and position themselves as the driving force behind our state’s prosperous future.
However, in reality, the political game is often seen as dirty due to the dishonest candidates who are solely driven by a desire for power and would go to great lengths to win favour with the electorate. This negative perception of politics discourages individuals with strong moral beliefs and an ethical mooring from entering politics, thus making it more challenging to cultivate clean politics.
Despite this, we must observe each candidate and consider their ethical principles and their party’s stance on clean politics. In doing so, we can strive to elect the most capable, honest, and ethical leaders who will work for the betterment of our state and country.
It is the responsibility of the people to demand transparency and accountability from their elected officials. The public should hold their leaders accountable for their actions, and they must make sure that they prioritize the welfare of the state’s citizens above their personal interests.
To move forward towards cultivating clean politics, we must create public awareness about the importance of voting for ethical candidates and holding our leaders accountable for their actions. This can be done through social media campaigns, town hall meetings, and other platforms that engage the public.
Moreover, we must empower our institutions to monitor and curb corruption. Independent investigative agencies, media outlets, and citizen-led watchdog groups can play a crucial role in ensuring that our leaders are held accountable for their actions.
While it may seem idealistic, the reality is that we can cultivate clean politics by working together and demanding accountability from our leaders. It is through our collective effort that we can break the cycle of corruption and create a political system that is truly clean.
By promoting ethical principles, transparency, and accountability, we can create a political culture where candidates compete based on their competence and ideas, rather than their financial resources or political connections.
In conclusion, cultivating clean politics may seem like an idealistic dream, but it is a realistic possibility that we can achieve through collective effort. By holding our leaders accountable and promoting transparency, ethics, and accountability, we can create a brighter future for our state and country. It is our responsibility to work towards this goal and make it a reality.
Yours etc.,
Kenneth Nongsiej,
Via email
UCC not acceptable in the Northeast
Editor,
Apropos of the news “NPP to oppose BJP’s Uniform Civil Code” (ST Feb 14, 2023), Ampareen Lyngdoh, MLA, East Shillong and spokesperson National People’s Party rationally hit the right chord in her statement against the Uniform Civil Code. Uniformity is another form of demanding conformity. We all know that the North Eastern Region has more than 220 ethnic groups and is considered to be one of the most culturally diverse regions in the world. Any Uniform Civil Code will, therefore, contravene the constitutional principle in case of the NE States. Justice BS Chauhan, who led the 21st Law Commission, said in September 2018 that a unified code is “constitutionally unviable”. “There are several parts of the North East and in the tribal belts where even the IPC [Indian Penal Code] and the CrPC [Code of Criminal Procedure] don’t apply…” “How can there be a Uniform Civil Code in these areas?” He suggested: “Before bringing a Uniform Civil Code, it is important to make changes to the personal laws of different religions. This would involve codifying personal laws as much as possible.”
In January, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma rightly expressed his apprehensions, saying that the National People’s Party cannot back any uniform code as it would affect the culture of the people of his state. “The whole concept of UCC is something if it was going to be a uniform means it is going to be a strict uniform where they will change the cultural practices of the state of Meghalaya then obviously that’s something that we as a state, as a party cannot accept,” Sangma said. L Thangmawia, a member of Mizoram’s Legislative Assembly of the Mizo National Front said, in his personal view, that the Uniform Civil Code among Mizos was impossible. “I think this is not the time and it is not practicable,” He also added that “It will be very difficult to implement UCC. It is good in theory, but it is not good in practice.” I appreciate the far sightedness of all the three leaders. Make no mistake that the tribal people of the North East cannot be taken for a ride by the powers that be.
Yours etc.,
V K Lyngdoh,
Via email
NPP’s money power!
Editor,
On December 21, 2022 PDF(People Democratic Front) MLA from Mawkynrew and Cabinet minister Banteidor Lyngdoh asserted that he was offered Rs 5 crore by the National People’s Party to join it, but he has curtly refused to accept such an incredible gift . Subsequently, Mr. Ronnie V Lyngdoh, present MLA contender from Mylliem constituency has confessedly declared that in one of recent public rallies that he too was offered on a platter a substantial sum of money to join another political party. That party’s name was, however, not spelled out. Against these unprecedented charges, the NPP didn’t initiate any legal response
Over such unethical use of money power and much else, conscientious and law abiding citizens are aghast as to how winnable candidates in the forthcoming elections are reportedly tempted with crores of money for the sake of riding to power. These startling revelations have made people to infer that some of our very own representatives who ditched their original parties for the other camps like Ampareen Lyngdoh, Hamlet Dohling, Mohendro Rapsang, Samlin Malngiang and others may perhaps, just perhaps, been lured by such irresistible incentives to be roped in. In a word, if that is so, Messrs Banteidor Lyngdoh and Ronnie V Lyngdoh must be complimented for upholding their moral fibre by outrightly shutting the doors against the ill-gotten money. And, incidentally, AL Hek, the present BJP candidate from PynthorUmkhrah constituency had also once questioned the source of money that NPP wields!
Yours etc.,
Jerome K Diengdoh,
Shillong-2