Dr. Kaketo Yepthomi
Thilixu village
I respect and salute NBCC, SKK and other organisations for initiating one of the most remarkable social movement in our history, the 'Clean election campaign'. It is not only the responsibility of the NBCC, SKK executives and other organisations but all Sensible people must put an effort in making this movement a success.
We need to understand the fact that our people are still very ignorant. Most Public think that their vote comes with a price Tag and Free vote means government jobs or contract works in return. For some party workers election is the time to mint money, buy new car or make a fortune.
Its ironical that even many spiritual leaders and prayer warriors believe that, its fair if they accept money or favour from the candidate whom they support and vote in favour of them.
I strongly feel clean election should be an attempt to change the mindset of the voters.
It should be about 'exercising our will' and not 'selling it' like Esau who sold off his 'birthright' for a bowl of 'stew'.
It should be about electing the right candidate/ representative who would bring much development and needed change in our society.
I think clean election should also be about checking the background of the intending candidate. It won't be so difficult to identify who is clean and who is not.
And Fresh face in politics doesn't necessarily make him/her a clean candidate.
Public should be wise and know who they are electing as their representative and not be misled.
If he was a business man, did he do his business with ethics or was he a smuggler or a bootlegger.
If he was in charge of distributing public funds, did funds reach the deserving unprivileged group of people or he kept most of it for himself to contest election.
If he was a doctor, did he stationed where he was posted and provided his services to the sick and needy or was he busy diverting funds to establish his own private empire.
If he was an engineer, did he use all his knowledge to build good infrastructure, roads, bridges or was he more interested in his commissions.
If he was a student leader, did he ____. etc, etc,. the list can go on.
And if he is already an elected Representative, how was his constituency before he became MLA and how is it now. Are roads and infrastructures better now or worse?
Are people living a better life? If the answer is worse, he has less reason to come back again.
Clean election must happen!
As long as the present system exists, there is no way a person from middle or lower economic strata can even think about contesting election. No matter how idealistic, knowledgeable and visionary one may be.
Unless the voters change their ways I'm afraid clean election will be just another cliché and donors and lobbyists will continue to play their games with the same old rules and may be time will come when God will also turn His face and favour away from us because of our sins.
We need man and woman with an Undivided and unbroken spirit to lead us.
Clean election must happen!
God bless Nagaland.
