We have been coming across many Village Council (VC) and Gaonbura (GB) disclosing regularly in the papers, their support to a particularly candidate and political party. In this regard, as a concerned citizen, I wish to share a thought for clearer political atmosphere in our state. Prior to this, we were very much aware that the village authorities , the VCs and the GBs, the church workers, like any other member of the society have their right to exercise their franchise and vote for which ever candidate they favour or consider best.
The role of a GB by convention is to act as a middlemen or felicitator during general elections, besides their normal duty, and provide in bringing service between the voters, community and the candidates. Hence, in the interest of the village and to save the prestige of the leaders, it would be good if they don’t involve themselves directly or support or show business to a candidate. This is necessary because, in elections one never knows which candidate will win. The image of the village should be preserved by those who are in authority, no matter how the voters exercise their freedom to vote. Whether the VCs and the GBs, basing on their conscience, voted for or against the result outcome, they are obligated to approach the elected representative for general welfare. I am totally confident that through the fair role played by the VCs and GBs, the villages shall surely be rewarded. However, when the village authorities or village level organizations ignore the above and go for open support or get affiliated to a party/ candidate, it creates differences and misuse of power, whereby disharmony raises its head and injures the smooth functioning of the village system. To cite one of the many cases, a village declared support for T.N. Manen’s candidature, when elections are only three months away. It was also reported in local newspapers that clashes took place due to differences and authoritative acts from certain camps. At that point of time, he was holding a dignified responsibility of the Addl. Chief Secretary & Commissioner, Nagaland… that to this great extend, when he was still the head of the GBs and VCs and DBs? I don’t understand. Election time is a period for political party workers to exhibit their principals and visions. We usually see many politicians and party workers wake up from their hibernation (with due apology) and attempt active role in society. In the Indian election system, even after 50 years of independence, we still se that it is played in a very dirty manner. Politicians say do ‘this’ and ‘that’ to gain political mileage. Politicians’ makes attempts to dominate by way of creating rumours, use of muscle power and money power if one is not very careful. There are less principled leaders or consistency in handling power. .
The need of the hour in our society is to put in a positive mind from the village authorities and voters, besides the politicians. Politics is considered universally good and as such it needs to be handled with proper care, so as to enjoy it in the truest sense, for posterity.
I therefore make an earnest appeal to the VCs and GBs in our state to immediately discontinuing publishing about their favour and support to any candidate, so as to give an effect of healthier political change, long term benefits and bring richer harvest to the villages after elections.
Rajuselie Lhousa, Editor, Capi
