Fifth Legislative Assembly: Shammed Democratic Institution

[Published in The Sentinel Arunachal on Mar 29, 2011]

Merriam Webster dictionary defines ‘patronage’ as (a) the support or influence of a patron (b) kindness done with an air of superiority (c) business or activity provided by patrons (d) the power to make appointments to government jobs especially for political advantage. Having defined patronage, it is pertinent to put this particular word in the right perspective: Sleekness and smoothness with which resolutions are adopted and bills are passed, almost without any discussion, with ‘Ayes’ is an indicator to the ‘patronage’ democracy; thereby reducing Arunachal Pradesh into a banana republic, with shammed democratic institution called ‘legislative assembly’. Before I go on, let me invoke the point number four that deals with parameters of the right of the press to comment on the acts and conduct of public officials under chapter called ‘Principle and Ethics’, Norms of Journalistic Conduct issued by Press Council of India (PCI). Now let me state that it pained almost all the journalists sitting in the media gallery to watch the proceedings of the recently concluded session of fifth legislative assembly. In general and beyond a point, no law-maker could press the treasury bench to respond to their queries. Treasury bench could respond the way they desired, with utter disregard for parliamentary norms and proceedings, inside the hall. Concerned ministers’ repeated indulgence in ‘beating about the bush’ in responding to the queries forced a veteran legislator and two times parliamentarian, Laeta Umbrey to quip, “Please answer in ‘yes’ or ‘no’. If you don’t know, do come prepared. But don’t give evasive response.” That prompted Speaker Wanglim Lowangdong to rule that henceforth government should give specific reply to the questions put forth by the members. Unmistakably, government’s policy of ‘Iron-Fist with/beneath Velvet Gloves’ framed for underground elements has been put into action against lawmakers cutting across party lines inside the assembly hall. Is string attached funds worry the legislators more than queries they raise in the floor of the house? Not sure about it but having witnessed couple of sessions of the fifth assembly, one can vouch that factor behind unity amongst the members of ‘Team Arunachal’ is beyond a layman’s comprehension; thus, it should be a subject of study for social and political scientists. Full credit goes to the few legislators who kept the discussion lively, meaningful and engaging. There are few who could be counted as potential supernovas in years to come like Ralom Borang, Pasang Dorjee Sona, Bamang Felix, Lokam Tassar, Likha Saaya and Phurpa Tsering. Of course, there were matured and seasoned orators like Wangki Lowang, Thangam Wangham, Punji Mara and Laeta Umbrey. But unfortunately, in the treasury bench, we have few master chefs, or should we call them ‘evaders’, with specialization in making ‘Jalebi’ like Tanga Byaling, Tako Dabi and Bosiram Siram, who kept serving platter of sermons, without answering the questions. Without discrediting the young and new elected legislators, it is amply evident that they are yet to read the ‘manual’ of parliamentary proceedings of the house. One can vouch for it with confidence, or where could a concerned minister mislead the floor of the house all the time without being penalized? Be it ‘question hour’ or ‘Zero Hour’ or be it ‘Calling Attention Motion’, none of the ministers responded to a single query to the satisfaction of anybody inside the house. Think of it, Home Minister misled the house about ‘Daporijo MMS Scandal’ but got away with it without being reprimanded. Where is the privilege committee of fifth legislative assembly? Isn’t there a single legislator who could file complaint of ‘breach of privilege’? Are the eighteen legislators good enough to be sitting there on opposite side of treasury bench? Alternatively, shouldn’t they join the treasury bench without fooling the public? Last and most uncanny question is who runs the show in the assembly hall? Let’s not defend the indefensible.