The much-hyped Assembly election in Nagaland is over now with a never before “show” of wealth by some rich candidates throwing in terms of millions enough to feed Naga populations for a year; dashing of several heavyweight Union ministers and national political leaders by choppers as if the long awaited Naga political solution had finally arrived, ready for celebrations! Alas, the drama ended with the same old NAGALAND back to square one - common people toiling for a daily bread, educated unemployed hunting for jobs and no political solution at sight (the issue still readily available for vested central and state leaders to meddle with for their political mileage and a room for factions to engage in fratricidal activities).
As the NPF-led DAN has formed the government in the state for the third consecutive terms, it is our hope that it will deliver good governance. Everyone wants the new government to lead the Nagas to a higher level where generations will always remember. It is also expected that the lawmakers of both the ruling and opposition benches including the independent group will demonstrate their efficiency in the Assembly and serve their respective constituencies with dedication. On the other hand, we have discovered that Nagas are found to be less interested in parliamentary election without knowing the importance of being MPs in the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament. The Lok Sabha election is not very far from now, which will be very crucial for Nagaland as the entire state is a constituency represented by lone member in the Lower House. For a state like Nagaland which is politically volatile, economically dependent and where the opinions are always divided on tribal lines, the position of Lok Sabha MP and Rajya Sabha MP is incredibly significant. The world is fast changing and in such a situation, nomination of candidate by the different political parties should be done taking all the important aspects into consideration viz: proper regional and tribal representation, the know-how and the age factor (not too old) and, above all, the personal integrity of the candidate.
Observing closely for the last few years, the performances of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs have been found dismal and very disheartening to even imagine. They have not performed their obligation to the people in true spirit and both of them have failed miserably as the state’s representatives in Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament. All through these years, they have been busy nursing their constituencies as if they were elected as MLAs (and not as MPs). What a tragedy for the Nagas! However, the fault lies entirely with the political parties as the MP’s position has been turned into somewhat like a ‘rehabilitation agency’ by setting up defeated candidates in the Assembly elections to fill up the parliamentary seats at the cost of people of Nagaland. On the top of that, setting up ‘over-ripened person’ (by age) is another setback which makes one less mobile and inactive. The disaster is that, once elected, the MP starts concentrating and tending his Assembly constituency thereby utterly neglecting the responsibility at national level. Therefore, the leadership of political parties must seriously bear in mind that Nagaland has only one member each to the both Houses of Parliament thereby making the representative’s position very very important which will require application of proper wisdom while selecting the candidates. Nagaland can no longer afford to have any more MP who is not visible and not active, considered purely on the ground of “party loyalty” and having “related” to the powers-that-be, by compromising the future of Nagaland. Very unfortunately, Nagas always measure capability of a person by age and not by intelligence which is totally not accurate. We randomly look at elderly people with awe as if he is the only leadership material without considering that it is the wisdom which drives a man’s capability, and not by age alone. Leadership should not be judge by one’s look and size, just because he is physically well-built or comes from a big clan / tribe. Its time, the political parties discard their petty party interest and go for biblical-type of leadership while determining candidate for the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats. Nobody believed that a small young man could slay the giant Goliath till David performed his duty meticulously with a sling. Remember, the most powerful person on earth, today, is a man who is only 51 years old, and he is none other than Barack Obama. He was first elected as president of America at the age of 47. And he belongs to a black American community (perhaps, one may call a ‘backward tribe’ of America!!!). We are deeply inspired by the expression of the Chief Minister of Nagaland, who recently declared publicly that non-performing ministers will be pulled up, which is highly appreciable as it is a part of democracy. This will be a good sign of change, only if really put into action. The same yardstick should be applied to the members of parliament too vis-a-vis parliamentary election. The big question now before the leadership of NPF (which commands largest supporters) and the Congress is what kind of candidates the two parties will nominate for the coming Lok Sabha election/candidate? May be, the same type of persons- very old, inert and failed leader? Sadly, Nagaland’s MPs are known for turning into mute and inactive once they are sent to Delhi. One should note that the activities of MPs is not only restricted to performing within the House of Parliament alone, but there are more things to do outside than inside.
For no less than memory of general public, following is the list of tribe-wise MPs from Nagaland since Statehood as found in the record (subject to correction). This will give present generation a clear picture of the past and current members of Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) who represented Nagaland for in-depth study of what contributions they have made for the Nagas, if anything is worth mentioning.
1. Angami - A Kevichusa (Lok Sabha)-once / Rano M Shaiza (Lok Sabha)-once / Vizol (Rajya Sabha)-once
2. Ao - S Cbubatoshi Jamir (Lok Sabha)-once / Imchalemba (Lok Sabha)- twice / T Aliba Imti (Rjaya Sabha)-once / S C Jamir (Rajya Sabha)-once / C Apok Jamir (Rajya Sabha)-once
3. Sema - Scato Swu (Rajya Sabha)-twice / Shikiho Sema (Lok Sabha) / H Khekiho Zhimomi (Rajya Sabha) –twice / Hokishe Sema (Rajya Sabha)
4. Lotha - Khyamo Lotha (Rajya Sabha) -twice
5. Chakhesang - Melhupra Vero (Rajya Sabha) -twice
6. Zeliang - T R Zeliang (Rajya Sabha) - once
7. Konyak - Chingwang Konyak (Lok Sabha) –twice / W Wangyuh Konyak (Lok Sabha)-once
8. Sangtam - A Asungba Sangtam (Lok Sabha) -twice
9. Chang - C M Chang (Lok Sabha)-once
The clean election campaign spearheaded by the Church (NBCC) should not be ended with the conclusion of Assembly elections. The Church should rather continue its crusade of cleansing dirty politics stronger than ever by out-rightly demanding the political parties (NPF & Congress) to strictly confine to nominating only the upright candidates beginning from the coming parliamentary election as a starting ground for future elections. Because, the change must start from the candidate as he is the focal person in any election. For that matter, the NBCC should take the parliamentary election as an ample opportunity for taking the foremost step of insisting on “right person” for “right position”. If it succeeds, it will be a turning point for transformation of our land and will notice a changed picture in the next Assembly election due in 2018. If it fails, the Church will ultimately lose its importance, because, the activities of its so called baptised members (by way of candidate or voters) are ruining the sanctity of Church through involvement in elections with negative attitude (not in true Christian spirit). In such a scenario, the 2018 Assembly will be worst ever again. The Naga electorates (almost 99% Christians) must be properly educated to reject (not to vote) if the candidate is not upright, whose integrity is questionable and if forced a failed leader against the wishes of people. It is the candidate who troubles the waters, because he wants to win by hook or by crook. In this way, the political parties should be taken to task by compelling to nominate only the right candidates in every election. Somehow, this stroke was found missing in the CLEAN ELECTION campaign during the last Assembly election and instead, the NBCC focussed more on containing use of money power (buying of votes). Upright candidates will not resort to evil practices in the election. We must understand that only those who are morally weak resort to unwanted tactics and also exhibits poor quality of leadership once elected. Corruption and immorality should not be confined to embezzlement of wealth alone, but failing to discharge public office prudently is also equally an evil. We must know that corruption is an inclusive phenomenon.
The world knows that Nagaland is a Christian-dominant state and is watching carefully what kind of person is representing its people in Delhi. This time, the one who will be representing Nagaland to the Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) should not only be a young (no more “BURA MANU” please!!!), dynamic and experienced (no more a FAILED LEADER,j for God,s sake), but also a God-fearing person. Any person whose age is against him, whose leadership has been tested in the past and, he who lacks veracity should not at all be considered as probable candidate giving the past experiences as great lessons to learn. Whatever the case, the main weak point of the Nagas is, we talk loud about changes, but often fail to take right decision when it comes to reckoning. This should not be allowed to happen this time and sensible people should voice and agitate. Therefore, we humbly appeal to every right thinking Nagas, especially students groups, intellectuals, Church and civil society leaders to start petitioning the political bigwigs of Nagaland by demanding for a RIGHT CANDIDATE in this ensuing parliamentary election by applying different methods- writing directly to the chief minister, leader of opposition, party presidents of NPF and Congress or writing on the papers, sending voices through short messages (sms) on mobile, etc.
If we need change, we should be strong enough and not be yielding, because softness will never break the stone. Let us not talk anymore about change, but start acting now to change before it is too late.
God Bless Nagaland.
R. Wosenmo, J. Tohan & K. Among
(The writers are concerned Naga citizens. Reach us at <nagapolity234@gmail.co.in> with feedback)
