Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• In some ways the genuine leaders do acknowledge their limitations and the mistakes they have committed. But it is not enough, because it requires more than just acknowledging the mistakes. Naga leaders whether SC Jamir, Rio or the underground leaders have admitted their mistakes. But the problem is they are repeating the same mistakes over and over again.
• Yes, they have admitted their mistakes and hard lessons learned. They have knelt down and prayed together when in another situation they would have killed each other at sight. But there are divisive elements in the Naga including the senior citizens who are bent to discredit the proven Naga National leaders who have labored continuously for over forty years and fifty years risking their lives. Lately there are too many voices from a distance or from the balconies of their comfort instead of coming and helping in the effort.
• Naga leaders of different groups can no longer afford to indulge in partisan politics. Mssrs Isaac Chishi Swu, Thuingaleng Muivah, SS Khaplang and Khole Konyak are in the twilight of their lives and without reconciliation in this lifetime, we have wait for another 50 years for persons like Wangtin Naga till he becomes old like Isaac and Khole to understand the reality of Naga politics and stubbornness.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• So far - NO. Like us, our leaders also fear it will be disastrous for Nagas if they were to admit their mistakes!
• Our Naga leaders – whether overground or underground – are the same. They lack vision and rely too much on power. They are surrounded by advisors who are too selfish and are unable to think beyond their four walls. Our Naga leaders have failed to listen to their inner voice; and instead allow their advisors to think for them. This is a lack of leadership.
• They don’t want to lose power.
• No, leaders of whatever field it may be, church-political-social-bureaucratic, etc being prepared and willing to admit their mistakes is not even on their agenda. Even if they seem to seemingly own up responsibilities, its on the surface only. They only change the bulbs without looking under their own hoods.
• Still lacking behind because of their wealth
• No, they are jus a bunch of restarted old men. They were dumb enough to think that nagaland would survive as a separate state/country. like who are you kidding with???
• No, still we nagas need their political attitude to go much beyond at this present situation… Most of our respectable leaders are not yet to admit their mistakes because of their evil desires, personal gain and self proclaimed “Boss of the Boss” than any other fellow Naga leaders…. Once I dreamed about Nagas if they (our respectable Naga leaders) prepared and admit their past mistakes and to go on peaceful path. What more can we nagas expect? Hopefully, because there is permanent settlement..unless peace prevails in our land, nothing is possible to achieve…!
• Because once they admit, their downfall begins.
• When will they learn to put away all the prides?
• To Be Honest N Truth. Nagas Are Worst Possible Humans God Had Ever Made
• Willing? Obviously not, unless they are forced into the corner and have no other alternative.
• Majority of them are after money and that's a fact they cant easily sweep under the carpet...
• All the leaders are money lover
• Practically they are not, because after knowing all their mistake by themselves they shy away from their own misdeeds
• No, accepting mistake is a problem among us
• No, not at all...never in my life time will i get the chance to say 'am truly proud of my leaders'.
• No they don't seem to be prepared to do that!
• No, our leaders won't do so 'cos to admit their wrongdoings/crimes, is to face the consequences openly. However, i think we're all conscious (secretly!) to reap the wrath of what we sow today, which is said to continue thru' generations without compromise. Since we're talking about leaders, the last thing we can do is to change for the better and, with our justified rights remove corrupted leaders from their seats, at the same time replace them with upright, examplary leaders.
• The so called Naga leaders are not leaders at all in the true sense. Most of them are opportunists, selfish and narrow minded. Their hearts are filled with envy, jealousy, hatred and bitterness. This is being manifested in kidnapping, killing, extortion, taxation etc. They are prepared to eliminate each other and willing to destroy Naga society in the process. Admitting one's mistake is the last thing in their mind. But unless they admit and confess mistakes first, nothing good will take place. Because that is God's way of blessing.
• No. If our leaders were gentlemen enough we'd have problems, but not this much. Common sense is not common in Nagaland; Lawlessness with no rule of Law is a clear indication on the quality of leaders we have.
• No! we have actually mastered the art of 'blame game' and no one is willing to let go this mastery
• No, the leaders won't. Fine. What is our alternative? A leader can't be sitting on the fence, nor can he be blaming, excusing only. We bear the brunt- do we tolerate that? Is the person a leader then?
• No, they aren't ready with the inflated egos. We've given them an inch and they are taking a mile.
• I said NO NEVER! if they admit their mistakes, will our Nagaland be like this?
• A big"N0"!! Even when they knowingly commit d mistake (for their selfish needs),they will never admit it...never expect them to admit it. no way at all!
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• Having a Blaming Attitude towards leaders or for that matter anyone is itself a mistake first. Change begins with oneself, Forgiving oneself and Forgiving others are the foundations towards Viewing the world, keeping the Bigger Picture in Mind. Every one is a leader and can lead himself by listening to his conscience.
• Better ask them
• They may be willing to admit their mistakes, but they know they will have to face the consequences if they do. And they are not prepared for that!
• Let not our leaders buy our will, steal our rights and shatter our dreams.
• I believe there is no quick fix solution to this problem. Realistically, unless our leaders themselves come out and take responsibility for their mistakes there is little the public can do, other than to create awareness on these issues. On the other hand, we the public are also guilty of the same crimes (in smaller degrees if I may say so)... but, lying is lying, greed is greed, hate is hate... I am not so sure our young people will do any better if they are presented the opportunity to lead. Having said that, our leaders will not always be in power, their end will come sooner or later. So, this present generation will surely get the chance to lead in the near future. Let every Naga search his own heart and decide for himself the future he wants to leave for his children. It has to start with 'YOU' and "ME"...
• For my part, I am more convinced than ever that this (leaders) “beast” only remains form me to take this opportunity requiring no further explanation. They are losing the trust and losing it fast and big time. No amount of spin, no boastful bravado, no swaggering, no lies, can cover the essential truth. By means of cover up of their total failure they only make desperate attempts and measures to avoid admitting their mistakes. Sadly our leaders are always in a state of denial and unrepentance and you wont find a keener vision or a stronger conscience.
• The Nagas, one and all, not only the leaders...everyone, we have not yet learned to change. we have only learned and still learning to learn, bad or good but never try to learn to change because we Nagas never make mistakes. we Nagas are always perfect and all of us will die perfectly with our all perfect mistakes. by that time we will not need to admit any mistake too only our children and grand children will reap the consequences of our GREAT PERFECTIONS!!
• There are two sides to a blaming attitude, one is without good reason and proper evidence, and the other is with good reason and concrete evidence. The former is mainly to create more problems, while the latter is with a hope that change will happen now that the cause has been identified. The inability of our leaders to come clean and take responsibility is the reason why we the public have taken upon ourselves the task of reminding them of their mistakes. This I believe is not blaming them without reason or evidence, awareness has to be created. It is very much needed. Yes, change should begin with oneself but that doesn't mean we should allow mad men to run free in our society...
• Blame the public. we spoiling the leaders both over ground as well as underground
• One cannot expect our ministers and mlas and our kilonsers to actually admit their mistakes unless the naga public is also willing to acknowledge that our society as a whole is also guilty for the prevailing situation.
