As election draws closer, political atmosphere is heating up across the country. Ziro is no different, these few weeks residents of Ziro has seen separations as well as amalgamation of political parties. However, if we go by the recent developments we can safely say politics in Ziro is going inwards. It will be a battle fought within a single party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), both the candidates belong to same party, one is the sitting MLA and a cabinet minister Shri Tage Taki, the other an influential retired engineer, Shri Hage Appa who has committed himself to serving BJP.
It remains to be seen how this arrangement (definitely uneasy) will span out in these few months. Both seem to have strong claim to the lone ticket for the 17th Ziro-Hapoli assembly constituency only one shall come out with the BJP Ticket in his hand. As Ziro is poised to witness much more fierce inhouse battle and lesser battles in public domain, what shall people of the Ziro contribute in this coming election? Is it still democracy? When one single party seem to have all the powers to decide the winner? Will people of Ziro now play secondary role in the election of their representative? It remains to be seen as days go by and people line up at their respective polling stations.
In an ideal democracy, it should be the people who should play primary role in choosing their representative and not any political party. Any contesting candidate should put forth and rely primarily on his/her manifesto for his/her people than any political party for victory. Aligning with the people of constituency should be more important than finding a political party. True democracy might be in decline, it can only be restored to its true glory by people who are well aware and has strong will to keep their rights intact. Government for the people can come into existence only when voters are well educated and cast their votes with a well informed and prudent minds. We get this right to vote only once in 5 years, let us use it for our common good. Vote for any candidate but vote with an open mind.
