The NBCC and other church organisations, as well as numerous civil societies have long been crying hoarse for Clean Elections in Nagaland. But there is already too much of filth in the system. Rampant Sale-Purchase of votes has already taken place, and is continuing with vigour. In some constituencies the stakes are going even higher; larger sums are being doled out to buy voters who have already been bought by others. If past trends are any indication, money will be spent till the last vote is cast.
Tens of thousands of potential voters have demanded and received money-for-votes. They have sold their votes and that of their families for a few thousand rupees each. These vote-sellers have time and again been ridiculed on social media for being cheaper than cattle. Society is however, not totally rotten; there are a good number of conscientious voters too in Nagaland.
The vote-sellers are not the only offenders. Many candidates have together distributed hundreds of crores of rupees to potential voters in a vote-buying spree long before the announcement of elections. Even innocent voters were lured to sell their votes. Thankfully, there are also candidates who did not resort to such unethical practices.
Now, the question is, where does all this money come from? What is the source of income of the candidates? Some candidates do not have much money. Others have earned their money by dint of sheer hard work. Such candidates hardly resort to vote-purchase. Others have the benefit of family-and-friend sources, some perhaps clean and the rest black money. A sizeable number of corrupt candidates are using a small portion of their vast resources of development funds pocketed from their present and past positions.
So, what happens when we elect corrupt candidates? Their primary goal would be to plunder the treasury to make up for election expenses. Then they will further pocket a greater amount for the next election, taking into consideration the inflation 5 years hence. They also target all other money they can lay their hands on for an opulent life and for the next few generations. Of course, their close family and friends, financiers, etc. also get a share of the loot.
Therefore, after voting for such candidates we should stop whining and complaining. We should not expect new roads connecting to remote areas, nor the maintenance of the present pathetic, potholed roads, which are occasionally coated with a thin veneer of black paint during the Hornbill Festival to show for development. We should not expect any infrastructural development too in the near future, as we have somehow managed to get a stadium or two, decades after their sanction. New projects are out of the question, as some like the High Court, Medical Colleges, Multi-Storeyed Car Parks, Our-door Stadia, etc. are yet to be completed, some even after decades.
The wrong choice of candidates in the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland has created a distinct class system. The powerful and wealthy have looted with impunity, which has resulted in a sharp increase in the number of poor in Nagaland. Education is in a mess and skill development extremely limited. Thousands of students drop out after high school or higher secondary due to lack of financial support. Students who do manage to study further have to wait, months on end for the bloated government to release their scholarships. The huge unemployment in the state is attributed to lazy or poorly equipped youths, but the reality is due, partly to lack of guidance and facilities. Poor skill development is a reflection of the miserable failure of the corrupt and inept government. Funds for entrepreneurship and the weaker sections too are looted by those in power, without an iota of guilt or shame. Remember, these funds liberally granted by the Government of India were meant for the development of the weak and down-trodden of our small society. There is total neglect everywhere.
Many have accepted bribe for votes from corrupt candidates. Does it mean that one is obliged to vote for them? No! The simple fact is that they tried to illegally buy our votes. At least, let us try to go clean henceforth, by voting with our God-given conscience, for the right persons and not those who paid for our votes. I refuse to believe that it is a sin to stick true to a sinful and illegal venture. Many have already spent that money and are in no condition to return the same. Anyway, most of the money spent on buying our votes are large-scale loot of development funds. Therefore, vote for Clean Candidates, people we trust and can rely on. This election, let us NOT vote for a Politician; let us vote for a Leader, a Visionary. This election, let us vote for a prosperous Nagaland. We still have a few days to go so please, let us start Clean Elections.
Today, it is important for us to redefine progress and sincerely begin the long process of development of Nagaland. We desperately need good road connectivity to all the far-flung areas and better existing roads, sufficient water, better education and health care, stable internet connectivity, facilities for the youths and weaker sections of society, etc. This is possible only with incorrupt, selfless and committed leaders. We need energetic and dynamic legislators, and most of all, leaders with vision. So, let us together elect the right people.
Prayers and Good Wishes from the heart for those candidates who really want to bring a change in Nagaland. May your win also uplift the deprived lot in our decadent society!!!
Prof. GT Thong
Lower Agri Colony, Kohima