The state of Nagaland would finally go to polls after a month long drama to boycott the 13th state Assembly Election. While it might be disheartening for those civil societies which had championed the boycott movement, it also explains the changing world we live in where dictation by Tribal Hohos need not necessarily hold sway and individual opinion and space in support of an idea, a party or an individual has become increasingly valued. The Tribal Hohos and Civil societies will have to learn to live with this fact. The failed boycott should also serve as a lesson to have wider consultations not only with the leaders but also to feel the pulse of the people on more important matters. This time, the dis-connect of the civil societies with the public was evident! One must say that we did the right thing by going ahead with the elections so as to avoid confrontation with the Indian Government. As I have written earlier elsewhere, Hindering India’s election process under the constitution, might even impact the Naga Peace talks.
Credit must be given to NBCC for its CLEAN ELECTION campaign. Not everyone would listen to it but there are those sane honest citizens who really believe that the root of all the underdevelopment and corruption in Nagaland is Money power in election. In fact, one can testify that the money power in this year’s election has considerably gone down if we judge by the present trend. However, things might change once election comes close. ACAUT, I believe, would have been a really good alternative if it had walked the election road. In fact, like Aam Admi Party(AAP) in Delhi which sprung a surprise, ACAUT could have consolidated votes from those who are really fed up with the present dispensation. Their cause would have been helped much by the fact that there is no partywhatsoever in Nagaland which command’s people’s respect and support due to their past misdemeanours. While the NPF might put up a bold face, its party leaders have done enough damage by infighting to sit in the hot seat. It will also find it hard to explain why scholarships and Teacher’s salaries often was a problem, and despite extravagant expenditures on Party meetings, Nagaland roads still remain the worst in the North-East. Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang must be a genius to still hold on to power and he can be likened to the Machevilian ‘Prince’. Under his tenure, he did create and upgrade certain administrative posts for convenience which would give him grateful sympathisers. His greatest misfortune was the prowling lions and power hungry stooges around him which made smooth governance difficult. He along with the Gentlemanly Dr.Shurhozelie combine would however, still be a formidable force. Infact, having Dr. Shurhozelie as the Chief Ministerial Candidate would have been a risk worth taking.
When it comes to incumbency problem, NDPP is not far behind as they are basically a new wine in an old wine skin. Neiphiu Rio, the former Chief Minister of Nagaland also has himself to blame for being too ambitious and testing waters in unknown shores. While being the Chief Minister, He also would have done himself good by spending more time in Nagaland than he had in Manipur. However, the development work he did in his first term as chief minister along with the ‘stable government’ under his leadership can get him political mileage. The Congress party legislators which joined the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland(DAN) also made a mockery of itself by joining a party which had aligned itself with the BJP, which proves their total lack of principles. Thus, basically, overall no party in Nagaland hold any credibility. It’s just that through the capability, charm and money power of certain leaders, it might be able to have some semblance of support.
The BJP would still bank on Prime Minister Modi to deliver in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. BJP might also be looked up by some to bring in the much needed developmental works in Nagaland. But BJP would have to convince voters why Christmas day had to be selected for ‘Good Governance Day’ and Good Friday for ‘Digital India day’. When one observes the footsteps of BJP and its affiliates, leaders like Rev. Dr Zelhou Keyho, the General Secretary of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) would have genuine reasons to feel insecure about the future of his flock.
Khekiye K Sema(IAS Retd.) the social Activist cum anti-corruption crusader, has added an interesting tale to this year’s election. While the champion of the ACAUT movement might realise how difficult it is to be really ‘clean’ in the Nagaland Election, he does offer a viable option to voters. Of course, there would be those who would be disappointed with his decision to join politics, which would obviously weaken the Civil Society’s movement. But Nagaland is bad today because good people have remained silent and aloof for far too long, and KK Sema’s decision to contest might be looked as a bold step in the right direction. But fighting from the Congress ticket would also be a disadvantage because, the Congress, in a large part has defunct units which would take time to recuperate . In the 5th Ghaspani-II constituency from which he is contesting, he would also face two equally competitive candidates. While Zhaleo Rio, the incumbent MLA (now in NDPP) might not have much to show in terms of developmental work, one can’t blame him completely since the government had been in a disarray right from the beginning of his term. But his support structure in the villages are still strong. Dr. Kevingulie Khro, the other candidate from NPF, would also put up a good fight because he was the one who had done the ground work for quite some time and his approachability would also win hearts easily.
Lastly, one should be prepared for surprises in this year’s election results, and we might see some old enemies sitting together again. That’s Nagaland, and our leaders best explain the type of state we live in.
