Feasibility of promises made during election times
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 17, 2022 -
ONE can't help but notice that during every election, people of the northeast are bombarded with promises to resolve the chronic insurgency issue, accelerate the pace of development and empower the women, among other assurances.
From pitying the northeast denizens, especially those in insurgency-infested states, who have been at the receiving end of the conflict situation, to glorifying achievement of the region's girls and womenfolk in-spite of the hostile environment they have been enduring, political leaders make it a point to sympathise with the suffering public and promise them a better future.
For decades, people in election-bound states are accustomed to absorb speeches of both national and state leaders which are understandably filled with lofty promises to settle outstanding issues and bring significant developmental changes if voted to power. Keeping up with the tradition, AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra assured that if the Congress comes to power unemployment allowance would be given, would protect each ethnic group and community, curb rising drug menace, provide free health care, resolve unemployment and women's problems.
The issues highlighted during her virtual address in connection with the assembly election are not only common problems besieging the state but also have the potential to create socio-economic and political chaos, if the leaders lack the political will and commitment to find the solutions.
As a leader of the opposition, Priyanka can't be restrained from lashing out at the ruling entity as the BJP too resorted to berating the grand old party and succeeded in toppling it from power.
Notably, when it comes to Priyanka's contention that BJP leaders only make tall promises during election times but without any serious efforts to translate them into action after helming the affairs, her speech has noticeable similarity with remarks of Nagaland BjP leaders, who reminded the central leadership of the party about the 'solution' promise that it made during the 2018 Assembly elections in the state.
No doubt, Priyanka's allegations of BJP showcing interest in the northeast including Manipur only during election times and forgetting the region once they take the rein of power would be out-rightly rubbished within short notice.
However, conscience of the BJP central leadership must have been prodded when the Nagaland BJP leaders reminded party's state in-charge Nalin Kohli and union minister Kiren Rijiju about the "election for solution" slogan made during the 2018 Assembly elections.
As reported, the Nagaland BJP leaders stated that if the party fails to deliver its promise of finding solution to the Naga political issue then it will face a tough time in the next assembly elections in the state which is due in 2023.
It needs no reminding that among the issues and problems afflicting the northeast region, progress of the Naga peace talks is being closely monitored by various stakeholders, including those in Manipur.
With no signs of the peace parleys ending any sooner, it is only natural that posers would be raised on whether the negotiating parties, particularly the Union government, are not serious about the Naga political issue, but intentionally delaying the solution to gain political mileage with the usual promises during election times.
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.