Liba Hopeson
BTC, Pfutsero
Like we force ourselves to chew and swallow an unpalatable food with the feeling that we’ll be hungry if we don’t eat; politics though is labeled a dirty game, one cannot evade and dump it, even if it is detested. Remarkably, in the Nagaland State Election 2013, the magnitude of the voices aired vehemently against corruption from different corners through media and others, and fervent anticipation of many people to witness change in the land was indeed tremendous.
The unprecedented Clean Election Campaign orchestrated by NBCC and the positive response of the Councils, Associations and Churches, significantly the Youth, in joining hands carrying out the exigent mission was historic and incredible. These are vivid indications that, there are many souls hungry for change. Truly, those fitting voices raised and the commendable actions undertaken will certainly become impetus for further greater change(s). Yes, many are enormously concerned about our wretched society and say that we cannot remain quiet and continue to reel under the rampant corruption which awfully haunt us and lag behind others, for even if we move at a slow pace, others are continuing to surge forward in a rapid pace.
However, despite of the burning passions, daring steps, painstaking efforts and laudable actions of many persons, we could see that corruption continued to overwhelm and assail us in many ways. When there are many poor people who worry about what to eat and drink or how they will look after the children or how they can survive, the news of the enormous use of money by the candidates was appalling. Of course there were few candidates who heatedly spoke against money power, deeming it to be ineffective and stood for truth, but we do not know what precisely happened in reality. Nevertheless, one thing is sure; majority of the people are still unable to withstand the lure of lucre. After seeing the events and happenings, we can say that majority of the people are still less concerned about development and change in a good way. Therefore, though the candidates are corrupt, we cannot deny that the majority of the masses are also unfaithful. The excessive use of power, coercion, presence of conflicts, altercations, denial of the right to vote of some people in certain villages, drinks, fights etc. were some seeming evidences that people were also embroiled in the dirty game of corruption and politics. So, in spite of our knowledge of the corruptions of the candidates, we cannot only counter them and put the sole blame on them for the existing phenomena. We say ‘do not buy votes’, but there are many who willingly say, ‘buy me’ though they know that it is too cheap. Yes, many couldn’t escape money.
Perhaps it would not be wrong to say that, though the candidates were aware of the Clean Election Campaign and many people voicing against corruption, they also knew that majority of the people still love and like money. In fact, those who are of the view that it is not the public who demand money, but only the candidates who give to buy votes, may not agree with this idea. Nonetheless, this argument may be proved false if we study critically the happenings of the day. For instance, in a constituency where four candidates contest, if one candidate, though capable and potential, but is very poor, while the other three very rich, can that candidate who is poor win without using money unfairly? Perhaps, in few constituencies, it might be possible, but it’s still hard in most of our communities. Seemingly, the trend in our society is that, the candidates have to use huge amount of money before election in order to win. The simple reason is, they want to win and people also want money. We cannot say that they (people) are compelled to take or out of understanding they have to accept because they (candidates) give them willingly. For, if I feel that it’s not good, I can refuse it. If you feel that it’s not good, you can refuse. The decision lies with us – you and me. Though not trying to justify the wrong acts of the candidates, it is undeniable that the people also want money and involve in corruption.
Actually, if everyone is concerned about the well being of our society, the candidates should not necessarily spend much before election. Rather, those who do not contest should give a helping hand to the candidates. Recently, I was thrilled and pleased to hear a story of a candidate and a pastor. One day, that candidate went to pray with the pastor in his residence. And after the prayer, the pastor gave him some amount of money to him. It was a pleasant surprise for the candidate. He said, actually I have to give you and you are giving me. What a good gesture it was! Likewise, I am anticipating for a time that the people will assist the candidate before election. I have a vision to educate the people. We have to assist the candidates economically, materially, physically and morally, albeit not to ask double of what we have given, but just to encourage them to give their best in working for the society as a whole. Since the candidates are supposed to serve and work for the society, we ought to help them before they take their sits. When a person is going for wrestling competition, villagers give him money, chicken, dog, eatables and other stuffs, because he is going to represent the village. If he wins, it is the pride and prestige of their village. They should not expect or ask the wrestler to give them something. Yes the wrestlers are pushed, encouraged and helped by the villagers. Likewise, if a community desire something good from a candidate, they should assist him/her. If this vision of mine truly dawns, I will be extremely happy, for, even those persons who are poor, but capable can do great things for our society. For long time perhaps, many capable persons have not got the opportunity to lead us just because they do not have money and wealth. It is our wrong choice. We have to bear all the unwanted consequences because of our unfaithfulness. Today, we speak against corrupted leaders, but sadly, majority of the people too like them. For, they get elected because they got more votes. We have to admit it. Nonetheless, this is not to support or defend those politicians who are corrupt, but I feel to bring change we need to analyze that way.
Today, people say, a person without money and wealth cannot contest in election. Today, many say, that person cannot win because he is poor. But I visualize a situation where candidates contest with the assistance of the community, and hence it becomes the backbone and factor of winning. I don’t project this idea because the candidates in the present day struggle because of lack of money, but just because the people enjoy before they come to power. In life, many a times, if we enjoy a lot at first, we struggle later. So, in the future, I wish to hear people say, that fellow might win because in his/her Constituency, people are loving, considerate, generous and co-operative. I visualize a situation where candidates do not think to recover the expenses they have spent before election, but consciously engage their mind in thinking how to help the people and develop the land. Here, I don’t disregard the idea of the right of every individual to vote or confidentiality, nor do I project the idea of only poor contesting in the election. But when the people assist the candidates in any way possible, and not the other way round, I can picture in my mind, fast development and change in our land. If our people stop saying, “he or she cannot win because he/she does not have money or wealth”, we can expect a great change in our land. However, I believe, that will happen when we become faithful to ourselves. There is a saying, “in money matters, do not trust even yourself”. We may refute this saying, but we have seen many strong people fall from it. It is really tricky and enticing.
Will my vision, where the people assist candidates come true? When will people stop saying, without money a person cannot contest in election? When will the candidates get assistance from the people and win, and work passionately for the society? “When the candidates assist the candidates, I believe, the demons and the evil forces will wail and cry and the heavens rejoice”.
