Prof GT Thong
Elections are at our doorstep and all of us are geared up to vote. But have we actually thought of what kind of candidates we are going to vote for; those corrupt individuals who gave us a few thousand rupees and/or other gifts including vehicles (2 or 4 wheeler), OR those who will stand for Truth and Justice, and help usher in Development?
A few members of the present and past governments have done their bit for the welfare of the common man and development of Nagaland; but what about the vast majority? Their recent declaration of assets was indeed a bad joke. It appears that we have very few crore pattis, and that too with just a few double digit or single digit crores. Many of them have already spent tens of crores of rupees in hard cash to purchase votes. Most of these people have looted hundreds of crores of rupees, while a few more enterprising ones have made many thousands of crores. This has been happening, particularly for the last fifteen (15) years when unprecedented amounts of cash flowed into Nagaland, only to be looted whole scale. Their so called development is sheer rubbish; every project cost, most incomplete, escalated way beyond 200% into their bottomless pits. Huge percentages of development funds also vanished into thin air.
But of course, we cannot blame these persons for not being in the Exclusive Forbe’s List of Billionaires, for obvious reasons. These people are not fools like one Pillai (formerly in the Nagaland Police) who declared a tiny fraction of his wealth and is now desperately running around in circles with his tail on fire. One always is puzzled why people like Lalu Prasad, once one of the most powerful and influential politicians in India, is rotting in jail for looting only a small fraction of what some of Nagaland have looted, while these relatively small fry are strutting around scot-free, on a vote-buying spree. Some political parties are blatant liars in stating they are for clean elections (having also signed a covenant with the Church on Clean Elections), when their candidates, many with their blessings and funds, are into large scale purchase of votes.
They are also screaming that change is coming and good days are ahead. With the tens of crores of rupees that many of them have already spent, what they actually mean is Change, Development, and Good Days are coming ... for them, to recover whatever they spent to buy our votes besides the free alcohol and food, and the vehicles and other gifts they have thrown in as freebies; nothing is free. The loot will also include interest, in large measure, for whatever they spent. Then the REAL LOOT begins, for the self. This will culminate in looting more, and a little extra, for the next election. There you are! So, where is the time or the inclination, or funds, to alleviate the suffering of the poor or for the development of Nagaland?
Some of the scheming sycophants (oops, party workers and leaders) dare tell us that all the old junk is gone and new honest leaders with commitment are in the fray. What new leaders are they talking about? It’s the same old wine (expired and bitter) in new bottles; they, that created all that havoc and looted the state dry, are now scattered in new and various old political parties, including their favourite, Mr Money Bags (BJP). Added to this list are some highly corrupt former bureaucrats as well. All these seasoned looters will not be satisfied with whatever the state gets from the Central Government. They will continue jumping all over each other in a mad frenzy for lucrative portfolios. They have only one common agenda, cutting across party lines - LOOT. And, we will stand on the sidelines as usual, helplessly watching; that is, if we allow it.
Most of us have, by now, shamelessly sold ourselves for a few silver coins; most of the cash will have been spent by the time election results are announced, while many of the ill-gotten vehicles will be put up for sale, dirt cheap. Our candidates have already promised us back-door jobs, contracts, etc., some (a very tiny fragment) of which may fructify. This is DIRTY ELECTION, at its evil worst. Please remember that these gifts and their results have dragged Nagaland to its knees. We have lost whatever roads we once had, our bridges have started collapsing, employment is today a hazy term from our dim past, healthcare and education are only for the government servants and business class, and even the largesse of the Central Government for the poor of Nagaland is in the filthy pockets of the rich.
Even as I am penning these thoughts, news comes floating in that some youth, women, and male groups of some colonies are planning to sell out to the highest bidder. And believe me, some candidates are ready and willing (and gleefully grinning) to buy them out. That’s how cheap we have become. And a number of us Sell-outs will carry our Bibles to Church on Sunday without any qualms. One can’t help imagining the tears rolling down His cheeks.
Vote for these selfish and greedy Buyers and suffer the consequences for the next five (5) years. But some of their temporary gifts have already been taken and spent. Some insist that it is now their moral obligation to vote for these unscrupulous elements. What morality was there in the first place when we willingly, or on demand, took their gifts? We have sinned! But this is not the end of the world. We can still atone for our sins. How? Simple! Pray for forgiveness, and mean it; then vote for the candidate whom we believe (in our heart of hearts) can deliver. Let’s ensure that the shackles are broken and our dear Nagaland rises up again. It’s all in our hands; to DO or UNDO! If we vote for the wrong people, we should not shamelessly complain any more for water, electricity, roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, employment, etc. Those who voted conscientiously, but are on the wrong side of the filth, may have to silently bear their crosses for another five years.
So please, let’s all vote for the best candidates (most of them would definitely be first or one timers) and get the development that we so deserve. We have reached that worrisome period of our lives where the need to vote for the party is secondary (this statement not for dedicated and diehard party loyalists). Some parties have their share of decent individuals, but with liberal doses of crooks amongst them. Please vote for the individual who can and will deliver. The money and gifts are purely temporary, but a good developed Nagaland will ensure our future stability and permanent growth. If we can start the development process, there should be no poor in Nagaland some day. Continue to vote for rascals and continue drowning in poverty!
