A Shyerhunlo Lorin
Concerned Citizen
In a healthy democracy, everyone has a role to play. The Legislative Assembly is meant to be a place where laws are debated, leaders are questioned, and governance is improved through strong and meaningful opposition. At the same time, when it comes to the larger national interest and collective identity, unity becomes essential. Sadly, today’s Nagaland shows a worrying contradiction—there is hardly any opposition inside the Assembly, and very little unity among national workers outside it.
The near absence of opposition in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly has weakened accountability. Consensus governance is often presented as a sign of political maturity, but consensus without opposition can easily slip into complacency. Bills are passed, budgets are approved, and policies are implemented with very little questioning. This does not strengthen democracy; it weakens it. The people of Nagaland did not elect their representatives just to agree with one another, but to raise different viewpoints, question decisions, and protect public interest.
Opposition does not mean creating hurdles or promoting hostility. It means constructive criticism, asking difficult questions, exposing mistakes, and demanding transparency. When opposition is missing, governance risks becoming disconnected from ground realities. Public frustration then builds silently, until it finally explodes in unhealthy and damaging ways.
Ironically, while MLAs appear united inside the Assembly, the same unity is missing among Naga national workers and political groups. At a time when unity is most needed to protect Naga history, identity, land, and political aspirations, divisions continue to grow. Differences in opinion are natural, but divisions driven by ego, factionalism, and mistrust weaken the collective cause.
This reversal of roles is dangerous. National workers should stand united on core issues, even if they debate internally. Instead, disunity has confused the people and weakened the moral strength of the Naga political movement. When Naga voices are divided, outside forces gain an advantage, and the Naga position becomes fragile.
Nagaland seems to have mistaken unity for silence in governance, and freedom for fragmentation in nationalism. Unity inside the Assembly without opposition leads to stagnation, while division among national workers leads to vulnerability. In both cases, it is the common citizen who suffers—through poor governance on one hand and an uncertain political future on the other.
What Nagaland urgently needs is balance. The Legislative Assembly must revive its democratic spirit by allowing responsible and fearless opposition that truly speaks for the people. At the same time, national workers must rise above personal interests and rediscover unity of purpose, even if their thoughts and methods differ.
True democracy allows disagreement without hatred, and true nationalism requires unity without force. Until Nagaland restores opposition where it is needed and unity where it matters most, the state will continue to struggle with governance failures and national division.
The future of Nagaland depends on this correction. Let opposition strengthen governance, and let unity strengthen the Naga cause. Only then can Nagaland move forward with dignity, accountability, and a shared sense of purpose.
“Disclaimer: this article reflects the personal views and the author is not affiliated with or endorsed by any political party or organisation to which the author may belong”
