Temjen Imna Along, Minister Tourism & Higher Education and State President of Bhartiya Janata Party, Nagaland, informed that there have been no directives till date from the BJP high command for an opposition-less government.

On the issue of forming an opposition-less government, which Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had hinted in his Budget speech, Along asserted that the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is a very experienced and seasoned leader of the state and the Central leadership have believed in his leadership to lead the Naga people during this time and whatever he has spoken in the Assembly has been communicated with Delhi.

“As for me as the State President I have not received any directive but whichever is good for the state, we have already apprised the central leaders about the same so however it would go through let us see what happens in the days to come,” added Imna Along.

Minister Tourism & Higher Education Temjen Imna Along made the remarks while speaking to a section of reporters on the sideline of the Aoleang festival here at The Heritage, Kisama village today.

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CM Neiphiu Rio on his visit to Delhi after the victory of NDPP-BJP Alliance, had remarked that, “Nagaland is a troubled state – Naga issue to be resolved; ENPO issue to be resolved. Then we have delimitation pending. So, it will be good if we have an opposition-less government. We welcome that.”

However, Neiphiu Rio had also said that the final decision on acceptance of an opposition-less government will be taken only after proper consultation with the BJP.

Read more: NDPP-BJP to discuss opposition-less government on 18 March

Nagaland citizens are of the view that having an opposition-less government will do no good for the people.

Political analyst Jonas Yanthan, “Who would raise the concerns of the public in the assembly without an opposition member in the assembly?”.

Read more: Installing opposition-less’ govt in Nagaland mockery of democracy: Political analysts

Social activist Niketu Iralu said he did not subscribe to the idea of an opposition-less’ government, which he described as “opinion-less”.

H Chishi, a senior journalist and writer said that the proposition of a opposition-less’ government is a “political gimmick to come to power for vested interests”.

“We have had opposition-less’ governments in the past, but what have they delivered? It is undemocratic and the Union government should intervene,” he added.

Read more: NDPP-BJP alliance yet to take a call on ‘opposition-less’ government; citizens voice against it

Naga Students’ Federation President K Tep had said, “As we live in a democratic country, we wish to see that there is opposition to make the government effective.” According to Tep, witnessing opposition-less government twice in the state has not yielded any positive results and there is apprehension even this time.

For now, even though all the political parties in the current Assembly have extended support to the ruling NDPP-BJP coalition, it remains unclear whether they will be incited to join the government.

The decision of having an opposition-less government seems to be in the hands of the BJP central leadership.