The recent exodus of 21 MLAs from one party to another has once again brought to the forefront a very fundamental core nature of our state politicians. It has revealed bare the unpredictable, wavering and unstable nature of our politicians and exposed for all to see their opportunistic mindset and the fact that they are always on the lookout for greener and luster pastures.
Of course, it will not be exciting or exhilarating at all to be sitting on the opposition bench for 4 years after being elected to the prestigious house. Therefore, with another Assembly election hardly one year away, their frustration, boredom and impatience are obvious and understandable. And viewing their action from a normal perspective, we cannot blame or reprimand them also because it is human nature to search for greener pastures.
I guess most of these MLAs took this drastic step because they see a more secure and lucrative position for themselves in their rival’s camp rather than in their own camp. And what can we say or do about this because, even in a normal setting, the grass always looks greener on the other side. So, when someone is in the opposition for over 4 years, the grass will definitely look greener on the other side. But I heard someone say “the grass may be greener on the other side but it still has to be mowed and watered”. This means that “the grass is not greener on the other side but the grass will be green where it is mowed and watered”.
It was not long ago that these MLAs were calling their party (which they just deserted) as the party of all Nagas and that whoever is against their party is against the Nagas. Yes, just recently, they were proclaiming that theirs was not just a political party but a people’s movement. But now, they have themselves nullified all these tall claims and assertions by their actions. And now, suddenly, all their words and proclamations seem so empty, shallow and hollow. This clearly indicates that our politicians actually do not mean what they say in meetings and rallies.
Some years back, I had the privilege of interacting with a close confidant of one of our illustrious state politicians. This person told me that to survive in state politics, one has to be “flexible” and not necessarily “principled”. Yes, the days of standing by one’s principles seem to be long over as far as state politics is concerned because almost all our state politicians seem to have become very promiscuous as far as their loyalty and allegiance is concerned. They may be resting and feasting in one camp today. But by sunrise next morning, they may be packing their bags and toiletries for another camp.
It is said that there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. And nowhere is this more apparent than in today’s Nagaland. At one point, our state politicians may proclaim and behave as if they won’t mind to even lay down their lives for their colleagues or party. But the next day, we may see that they are ever ready to leave their bosom friends or party even at the drop of a hat if fortune and opportunity beckon them on the other side.
After deserting their own party and joining their once rival party, they say that they have merged with the other party. But here, let us understand that merger would mean that the two parties have become one and that would mean that their original party from which they ran away ceases to exist. But here, we find that it is not the case. The original party is still in existence and despite their number being reduced to few seems to be doing quite well at least in spirit and outlook.
They also say that they are doing all these to facilitate the early settlement of the Naga political issue. But it seems like the Naga political issue has become just a watchword for most of us. They claim to be doing everything for the early settlement of the Naga political issue. But all their actions and behaviors show that they love their chairs and status as state politicians and this is why some have already declared that they would not resign if they are re-elected in 2023.Yes, many Nagas have now become so accustomed to pursuing their lives under the Indian flag that they are quite satisfied and okay with the present status quo even though they often express their desire for the early settlement of the Naga issue.
Of course, to be a successful and enduring state politician, one has to think about the next election and stock resources. One also has to read between the lines and follow the rhythm of the political tune and take actions accordingly. But if one wants to always go where the grass is apparently green, he can be easily deceived, tricked and manipulated by others. And ultimately he will end up just as a mere tool or instrument in the hands of others and at the end of the day, such people will have no credibility.
And the bitter truth is that even in the dirty arena of state politics, the person who would ultimately shine and leave behind a worthy legacy will be the one who exhibits at least some semblance of virtues like integrity, loyalty, commitment, sincerity and stability. Such a person, even if he fails to sit on the highest chair or walk the corridors of power, can ultimately become a rallying point for like-minded people who are already sick and tired of all the filthy fuss and pandemonium going on with the mission to push others down and pull oneself up. If anybody from our state political arena can become such a rallying point, he will become like a big tall tree with towering branches and countless leaves where others can come and take refuge and find comfort under its shade. I wonder whether any such personality will ever emerge from the shambles and ignominy of our state politics. What I see is that only such a personality will be able to garner true respect and adulation and leave behind a worthy legacy irrespective of whether he is considered a successful state politician or not.
All Nagas today profess to be Christians. And so when we are talking about looking for greener pasture, it would be worthwhile to recall what our saviour said about green pastures. He said that He is the vine and we are the branches and that only when we abide in Him we can bear much fruit. Scripturally, this means that a branch can bear fruits only as long as it is connected to the tree.
In a democracy, political parties are formed by like-minded people on the basis of some political beliefs and ideologies. In a way, we can say that these beliefs and ideologies are like the roots and branches of the political party. So deserting one’s own original party and joining another is like disconnecting from one’s own tree and getting artificially attached to another tree. Thus, when a politician indulges in such practices, the originality, the stability and the trustworthy factors would be automatically severed off. And in the end nobody would desire such a leader because one of the fundamental attributes of a true leader is to remain true to one’s own beliefs and ideologies and to stand firmly and unwaveringly no matter what comes against him.
In life, everything happens in its own time and season. This is a universal law governing the whole affairs of man. And sometimes things look dry, withered and lifeless not because it is dead but because it is not in season. So, most of the time, instead of getting disheartened or going astray, the only thing one needs to do is to faithfully wait for one’s season to come because once the due season arrives everything will be blooming again.
But will my season ever come? This is the million dollar question that often crops up and plays in our minds. But if we are professed Christians, I guess all of us need to have at least the hope and faith that our time or season will come. But even if our season never comes, it is still much more honorable and profitable in the long run to bear fruits from one’s own tree rather than trying to bear fruits from another where you are not connected to the roots. Yes, we need to be clear between what is permissible and what is profitable. There are many things which are permissible but not profitable. And trying to bear fruits from another tree may be permissible in politics but it certainly will not be profitable.
