Nagaland's 'Rising People's Party' details out its agenda; here's all you need to know

KOHIMA: The Joel Naga-founded Rising People's Party is hoping to become a major player in the next Assembly elections in Nagaland. With such lofty expectations, the leaders of the political addressed the media for the first time today, while explaining its vision and policy in detail for the first time.

According to the party, it has sought to establish a political paradigm that defines power with morality, a social order that upholds Justice for all and equality before law, a civic governance that is based on accountability and transparency, and a citizenry that is aware of its Rights and respects its Obligations.

"The party shall stand and serve to accomplish the purpose and goals for which is it created as a solemn duty before God and the People," the party states in its vision and mission statement.

According to an official release, the party shall be guided by the resounding call for change by our people and their aspirations to bring healing, restoration, and rebuilding of our land.

According to the RPP, political power is derived from the people and the people have the power to bring change.

"Towards this end, the party shall empower our people to contribute towards the vision and goals of the party and, through this, seek to rediscover the genius of the Naga people whose wisdom, knowledge, and experiences shall form the building blocks for the present and the future," it states in its document.

"The party is the logical outcome of the sense of injustice and represents the hope and aspiration of the Naga people for real change," it added.

The party stands for “For Freedom and Democracy” as our motto states. In our present context, our people want freedom from misgovernance and injustice and a democracy where an election is clean and impartial; where the voices of the grassroots are heard; where women are truly empowered; where elected leaders are accountable to the people and where a person is not deprived of her/his rights because of nepotism.

According to the party, it believes in 4 key principles.

First among these, is good governance. "We believe in governance which is beyond dispensing the monthly salary of government employees. Good governance includes the fight against corruption; the creation of a merit-based society; and the emergence of a culture of accountability and transparency in governance itself," it state.

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The RPP states that the inclusion of women in politics and in positions of influence in governance will help in bringing down corruption in the state. "This is apart from the fact that women constitute almost 50% of the State’s population and they deserve to be heard whether in elected bodies or through their participation in the development process."

Advocating for a "rule of law", the party has said that the prevalent khushi-khushi culture in all forms has to be curbed.

The RPP has also championed for the cause of creation of a self-reliant economy. "The first aspect is that Nagaland state is not a private limited company to be looted at will.  Secondly, we have to move beyond the present hand-to-mouth economy to an economy where a thriving business middle-class emerges. We believe in building an economic foundation where the farmers and agriculturists and entrepreneurs become the engine of growth for the state replacing the salaried economy of the present."

The RPP in its vision document has asserted that it is committed to establishing a ‘new Nagaland.’

"The divisiveness of the past and present, as well as the abuse of power epitomized by the prevailing systemic corruption in our society, is at the root of most problems in Nagaland," it has opined.

The RPP has further pledged to create an enabling ecosystem that is rooted in inclusiveness and fair-play and that will stir our people and State towards a better future, especially for our children

"To usher in a new paradigm, the RPP shall play its part as a political party in the people's movement for a 'new Nagaland' guided by the above vision and serve as stewards for our people under His Almighty grace and power," it has expressed in its vision document.

ABOUT THE RISING PEOPLE'S PARTY:

The RPP has been formed by a group that had stood up to “multiple taxations” by extremist groups such as the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN).

The Rising People’s Party (RPP) was registered with the Election Commission of India on June 7. It adopted its constitution on October 2 of 2020.

Its president is Joel Naga, one of the founding members of Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) that had “done the impossible” in 2013 by organising a mass movement against “taxes” imposed by at least half a dozen extremist groups.

The group had also taken on fuel adulteration and backdoor appointments in the State government departments.

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