Notes for votes

 Elections in Nagaland are among the most expensive in India and the language and message is all about who has enough money to influence voting. Unfortunately, in such an unwholesome environment, crucial issues are lost and manifestos are reduced to mere idealistic words that mean little. Much has been said and written on the role of money power in elections and Nagaland is not the sole example. However, in a state where majority of people depend on government largesse, if money continues to be the main factor in politics, then this would only turn the desire for real development into a mirage. There is dire need to change this culture and it calls upon all right thinking people, not only to think or lament but to act. Those at the helm of the government, politics and society need to serious introspect about their role. When it comes to following good examples, perhaps people, church, young people, the bureaucracy and elected leaders of Nagaland need to do something in halting the downward momentum. Even as electioneering is on full swing in Nagaland, money play is replete in all aspects. This kind of politics is not only insane but destructive and dangerous. The feeling of helplessness and frustration among the people is growing. The loss of trust in society due to rapid and gradual loss of social and moral values is pushing Naga society to greater peril. Getting elected through money from corrupt means has reduced voters to purchasable commodities. A candidate spends anywhere from Rs.20 crore to even up to Rs.40 crore to win. In some constituencies, the voters number hardly 15,000 to 20,000 or even less but that does not restrict the amount spent. Recently, some church organisations have sent out appeals to people not to be lured by money but to choose conscientiously. In this regard, there is a lesson to be learnt from the Mizo society It would be helpful to learn a lesson from the Mizos who have overtaken Nagaland in many areas. The “unique’ feature that Mizos exhibit is a sense of commitment and responsibility for society. Church leaders in Mizoram practise what they preach. That itself demands character and courage to not make compromises. The synergy of tradition and Christian tenets had resulted in a reformation movement spearheaded by the church-backed Young Mizo Association(YMA) in 1935. The YMA has taken up various social issues, chief among which was preventing electoral malpractices. This has impacted the Mizo polity and created a great sense of awareness about moral responsibility among the people. The resultant culture of clean elections has given Mizo society good leaders who are obligated to selflessly devote themselves to work for the people. Today, society in Nagaland is gripped by a syndrome that is called as asociality which, loosely translated means, anything is acceptable since the boundary lines have long been erased. No matter what campaign is being launched, there is too much to be done and slogans, banners or meetings are not going to make any impact. Politicians are blamed for all ills but can the people absolve themselves of their roles and responsibilities? And unfortunately, today society has developed a strain that is resistant to curative prescriptions.