Can these independent voices find room?
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 24
A number of social activists have jumped into the electoral fray to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly election. In the back drop of rampant corruption, mis-governance and nepotism eating away into the arteries of the state, a hunger for alternative politics among the masses is growing, these social activists turned political contenders believe they can usher a change.
From among the list includes 27 year old Akavi N Zhimomi who has been an ardent advocate of dignity of labour and clean election. He lived by example by selling egg rolls in a makeshift shop in Dimapur, an occupation which most Naga youth would consider menial and dare not take up seriously.
Akavi is contesting from 4 Ghaspani-I Assembly Constituency with an Aam Admi Party (AAP) ticket. The motto Akavi has been advocating is that change will start when one become trend setter-not only in politics but in any field. “If you want to contribute for the society, if you want change, don’t stay at home waiting for change. Be the trend setter.”
The young candidate also asserts that he is contesting with the ideology of clean election. He says the negative concept of needing money to contest election should be done away with.
Claiming himself to be a case in point, Akavi said he is contesting the election with zero liabilities. His affidavits also specify the same. “I am trying to kick start a peaceful revolution with faith that in the years to come, capable individuals with no money will come forward to contest election and change will set in.”
Anti-corruption crusader KK Sema is also another one such contender who is contesting from 5-Ghaspan-II A/C. A former advisor to the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland, Sema has mobilised public opinion against corruption and illegal taxation that are deeply rooted in the Naga society.
Contesting from an INC ticket, Sema in a campaign video speaks on corruption and mis-governance in Nagaland, the reason why he is contesting for the election- to be a catalyst for electoral reform.
“Nagas for the last five years at most have seen corruption at its best. We have a government that has stolen the rice from the people. We have a government that has corrupted the fuel…we have people who have been appointed from the backdoor where the intelligent ones are scavenging in the street- there is no issue of merit. We have little children going to school whose scholarships are even stolen by those upstairs. This is the world that is being decided by people who are again coming into the fray with all the stolen loots what they have done for the last five years, they are the old wine trying to fit into new bottles.”
Former editor of Ao vernacular newspaper Tir Yimyim, K Temjen Jamir who is contesting from 22nd Arkakong AC as an Independent candidate plans to take his critic and commentary to the floor of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
On the reason for shifting from journalism to politics, Jamir, during a recent interview with a local English daily said he doesn’t want to “remain a mere critic and commentator on the present state of affairs” and plans to turn his writing and preaching into reality.
Criticizing the present Naga leaders for being selfish, narrow minded and insensitive to the needs of their own people that has led the state to ruins, Jamir asserted that it is high time to change the image and perspective of leaders in the government by making public service efficient and transparent.
In a rare departure, the 2018 election will also see highest number of women’s candidates - Wedie-ü Kronu and Dr. K. Mangyangpula Chang (both from National People’s Party and contesting from Dimapur III AC and Noksen AC respectively); Rhakila, BJP (Tuensang Sadar II AC); Rekha Rose Dukru, Independent (Chizami AC); and Awan Konyak, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, Aboi AC.
Now, is there room for these independent voices in an election system where money and muscle power has dictated for decades? Only time can tell. Nevertheless, winning or losing should not be the sole criterion to access the impact of their participation in the elections.
