When leaders lack vision, values, ethics, courage, character or integrity, they will succumb and will not stand the test of time. Such leaders cannot be expected to lead themselves, let alone the flock! It doesn’t matter how intelligent, persuasive or savvy a person is, if they are prone to rationalizing unethical behavior based upon current or future self-interests, without principle, they will eventually fall prey on their own undoing. Additionally in this context, leaders with poor vision and principle amongst the majority of the regionalist MLAs have even overshadowed obvious negative traits of an over abundance of ego, pride and arrogance.
The society has witnessed trickeries and attempted maneuver in the current imbroglio of sorts wherein the elected sworn regional representatives have laid bare their weakling backbone in full display, negating the very default Naga principled honest stance. “Politics without principles” breeds toxics and is therefore, dirty and poisonous. Such politicians are the architects and agents of toxic politics. It is a sad commentary that in the present Naga context we have leaders who have no real essence of politics with principles. Rather than sticking with the party they vowed and vouched for to stand by, the episode of riding westward (Kaziranga) shuddering at the slightest sign of storm ahead exhibited the outmost lack of principle, conviction and courage. Like them or loathe them, the three Ks - namely Kiyaneilie, Kuzholuzo and Khriehu - are our heroes.
Leadership takes courage to give credit to others, to remain faithful to one’s core values no matter what. We live in an era of every person for themselves, where the material always get priority over the social, where our ambitions centre on personal advancement rather than making the world a better place. In such a scenario, an unstable unprincipled leader who won’t stand firm and true ensuring the dignity of those they lead, must be outrightly rejected. The right/wrong track barometer of the “Westward Riding Legislators” was solidly wrong track. Their action has done irreparable damage to the status of the party. This has left bad precedence not only for the party at present but for posterity. Only when all the concerned put aside everything else (negative energy) ready to start from scratch with the concept “ Service Above Self” (something I don’t believe is assured by the current crop of party MLAs) will the people repose their trust, confidence and loyalty to such leaders and the party at large. Even in the most crucial areas of life, there is no room to build anything without real principles and a sense of character.
Billy Graham said, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened”-Kudos to those who stood their ground.
K C Naga, Upper AG Kohima
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