The political u-turn in Karnataka has exposed the bigger intestine of the Central Government. BJP Government tried to play the game in Karnataka by attaining single largest party. They forced themselves to form the Government. The BJP party in Nagaland celebrated the poll result of Karnataka. The Government collapsed in no time. Usually what goes around comes back to us. Some members must have gone to Karnataka to condole them with traditional gifts. Congress and JDS received all the blame for joining hands to outdo BJP. (What we do is right, the same thing done by others is totally wrong) When NDPP and BJP allied to form PDA Government in Nagaland, BJP was the happiest of all. The State Government is happy to be under the Central Government so as to receive its share in due season. No politicians want to live in the desert. The State Government of Nagaland is still yet to stabilize itself strongly.
The central Government tried to interpret the Constitution of India differently for different State/people. Congress and JDS were put to a bitter test in Karnataka because they were non-BJP parties. BJP tried to put on sheep’s clothing in many States, but failed in front of the Indian Roller and Indian Elephant in Karnataka. The ability to manipulate rules and regulations differently from State to State is killing the authenticity of Indian politics. This is how change of laws disturb the smooth functioning of the Government, both Central and State.
The formation of the recent Government in Nagaland sounds good. The numerous apprehensions about BJP and its hidden agenda (as it is called till date) were washed clean within a day. No party is good or bad by themselves. The people in the party formulate the party. Nagas are now amused by the play of the game. The game of life and the purgatory of Naga politics continue to linger. Can any mathematician systematically solve the sum of NDPP+BJP=PDA? Can a logician derive conclusion from the two premises (NDPP and BJP) and come to a conclusion of PDA? Can Science explain the chemistry of the two substances becoming one? It is difficult for scholars to explain or experiment. Some politicians can supersede all scientists and scholars with their vague non-lasting explanation. Any change is good, but if change adversely affects the life of the people, than that change need to be changed. The present Government will surely do its best to put into actions their promises and manifestoes. This is the hope of the common men and women.
If we do not derive proper and reasonable answer for our present state of life, we can be easily tossed upon by any hearsay. The change of political party from time to time clearly indicates the instability of most politicians. As long as the party feeds them well, they are to proclaim only good news. Once the link of consumption ceases, the same party becomes the worst party. Because of this some people change for worse, while others remain stagnant. Before election, many political party workers in villages and towns give mass resignation with the hope of changing their pockets. Yes, they have changed from ‘empty pockets to full pockets.’ But they failed to change themselves. What a disastrous change! Many people are still in the process of changing their party. This is called ‘change.’ Can this be called ‘a good change?’ Likewise, if BJP fails in the centre, Nagaland will give up all praises for BJP. Our politicians know where to seek refuge and shelter.
Change does not solely come from politicians. It starts with our own way of life. The way we live our life will greatly determine the desired change. Change can be a dream if we still dream of it without waking up to the reality of life. Why do we expect the politicians to change our way of life? No politician is a god or goddess to change our fate. We must determine our future with unwavering belief and conviction.
Today, Nagaland is going through a stage of ‘political consumerism.’ The common men and women consume the manifestos and philosophies of political parties without proper chewing and digestion. We consume without sufficient analysis of the content and its result. Some officials have consumed the financial assistance meant for the construction of high court. Few people continue to consume monetary funds and schemes of the towns and villages. We happily consume sufficient money during election and go dry till the next election. That is why Nagaland is called ‘Dry State.’ Everything is changing except the person.
The campaign for MP Election can be seen under the banner of ‘change.’ If you want change, vote for ABC party, not XYZ. No one can change Nagas unless they decide to change by themselves. No politics or religion can change a person for better if he/she is unwilling. Few politicians claimed to be the wise by their ignorant speech, ‘the change speech.’ They claim to change Nagaland overnight. Adding to this, some local dailies carried a headline of political disease statement, “If you are a Christian, vote for ABC and if you are a Hindu, vote for XYZ.” Is XYZ a Hindu? Or is ABC more Christian than XYZ? Are NPF and PDA (NDPP & BJP) competing in holiness of life? Are they proceeding for canonization of their candidates before the MP election? Can we allow politicians to speak and behave abnormally? Can we allow them to divide us for worse? Nagas are kind enough to forgive them often times. Politicians have the temptation of turning the Gospel truth into ghost-bell truth. They change from time to time so that they do not change accordingly.
Change may come, but it can be “selective change” not “general change.” The phase of change in the State capital does not mean that Nagaland is changing for better. The greatest change Nagas want is to allow the good to prevail against the existing evil of the society.
Yours Sincerely,
Rev. Fr. G. L. Khing
Kohima
