A Critical Analysis of NPF's performance in Manipur Assembly Election
- Part 1 -

NTIMES Facebook *

Nephiu Rio campaigning for NPF candidates in Manipur's Hill districts :: January 21, 2012

Nagalim Times (NTIMES) group members in Facebook, the social networking site, gives their comments on NPF winning only 4 out of 12 seats contested in the 10th Manipur Assembly election in 2012. Many expected the party to win most of the seats it contested and therefore winning only 4 seats was argued by many as a failure.

Given below are some of the views shared by the members. We are unable to include all views due to lack of space. Given at the end is a summation of common reasons put forth by members.

Ahem Tuithung writes, "One of the reasons why we failed is because many prominent people lost interest in politics. Most of the voters are villagers and easily tempted with money. I dont see change in the near future because many of the so called "educated Naga youngsters are not interested in politics"

Raymond Ronamai writes, "Our society has changed. People are tired of violence and our Christian values discourages even thinking ill of another person, forget about bloodshed. So, when the insurgents indulged in violent tactics including shooting, kidnapping and beating up civilians, who supported the Congress, the general public was not happy. The outcome of this year's elections is there for all to see.

Today's youngsters are exposed to global politics. The scenario will be very different 5 years from now with the young generation taking up the leadership. If the Social Workers resort to violence in the next, it can lead to mass revolution like in the present Arab countries because the educated Naga youngsters may not give in violent tactics easily"

Daniel Yunii writes, "The maiden entrance of NPF into Manipur and their Naga centric agenda makes the meeteis to unite and that is how our congress won"

Christina Panmei writes, "We should not equate NPF with the Nagas of Manipur. The failure of NPF is not the failure of Manipur Nagas. NPF is just a political party like any other political party with its aims and objectives. 1. Its foundation is very weak in Manipur. 2. Its level of campaign is low comparing to other parties. 3. Its entry is quite late in Manipur"

Bishung George Maram writes, "Actually some of our leaders work for our right and they even introduced NPF in Manipur, to let others know what Nagas are. But we Nagas have lots of misunderstanding among ourselves, regarding our Naga issue. NPF failed not because of Party but because of the individual candidates. Our leaders didn't choose the right candidate; they only run after money.

They never took the views of public; candidates were chosen by just 1or 2 leaders with their own interest. The public do not like forcing to vote and that is one of the main reason some people moved to congress. If the leaders/NSCN and public would have proper discussions before the election about the issue, I believe that 12 out of 12 seats could have been won"

Dipandimmang Kahmei also writes, "Nagas in Manipur are, in fact, candidate-oriented and not party-oriented" Albert Daiho writes, "NPF failed because they were misinformed. Choosing of candidates should have been done properly"

Dominic Kojing Shilshi, writes, "NPF may work out in Nagaland but not in Manipur.
(1) NPF by definition is limited to Nagas
(2) All tribal in Manipur are not Nagas, therefore, NPF further divides the tribes in the state rather than playing inclusive politics. Surely the other tribes in the state will be uncomfortable with their presence, not only the meiteis. In such situation, failure is inevitable. But I must say that they got what they have and they cannot expect more out of nothing"

Thohe Pou writes, "
1. NPF launched in Manipur too late.
2. NPF campaigners could not convince the village leaders.
3. UNC past mistakes is one of the most important factors for some leaders for not supporting the NPF
4. The villagers do not know the main purposes of launching NPF in Manipur.
5. Many educated people are shortsighted, ignorant and impatient about the Naga cause.
6. The villagers do not see beyond their Candidate.
7. UNC and the NPF leaders could not choose some of the Right Candidates, which has created some misunderstanding and divide the votes.
8. NPF is a threat to Manipur integration for the non-Nagas.
9. Some of the NPF supporters using muscle power, violence and threat created the atmosphere very bad in some villages/towns, which led to go against the NPF party.
10. Money plays a very important role in election but the NPF candidates are too poor to compete with the Congress leaders who are well settled and took the position in well advance"

Christina Panmei writes, "To say NPF does not have good muscle power is too lame. Infact it is due to their excess muscle power some people move away from the party. No one wants to be forced that is the nature of human. If they were to do lots of campaign at the village level well instead of having faith in the power of gun, they would have done much better with the kind of aims they have for Nagas of Manipur. Let's learn from this mistake and do better next time. As a politician they need to beg the voter and earn their vote instead of forcing them"

Mel Naga writes, "NPF candidates relied too much on muscle power. They thought muscle power with gun will do all the work to put them on the throne, on the other hand, some of the leaders were busy minting money from the congress candidates"

Sanchiyuk Thongam writes, "why NPF fail because no one like communal based politics, no one like to go on threaten as it encroach upon the pride of individual, it' will be better to remember that Feudalism has died long time ago"

Somipam Vashum writes, "NSCN over look to the people interest, they thought that their judgment are the best which is never true, and I too support when we say that NPF didn't have time for campaign. The policies and manifesto of NPF is the best for Nagas but sending the wrong person to the right place turns the outcome into looser"

Reis Vashum writes, "Fielding candidates on their personal grounds by few IM sympathizers, relatives of higher commands and forcing, threatening, and physical abuse by the cadres of IM with orders from regional/higher commands makes most of the public to opt to vote for INC and other parties. Instead of begging the public like the other successful political party does; they should understand that we are living in the age where brain n computers work but not Gun and muscle power"

Ephrii Pfoze writes, "People failed to understand that congress will never fight for the rights of the Nagas" Thonii Rozhemai writes, "NPF fail in Manipur because there is no leader to lead them, NPF fail because they are waiting orders"

Albert Daiho writes, "From my 1:1 interaction with the voters, I have found some major factors in Poumai and Mao areas viz: personal gain possibility in the future, buying votes, use of muscle power, village factor, Naga Issue, personal Issues, inter-village factor, relatives factor, policies of the candidate (if the candidate had contested before or is/was in power), capability of the candidate, development. All the factors are not mutually exclusive"

Canaan Kasar writes, "Meities hates Ibobi but because of Manipur integration, they voted him in power. Naga people talks about Naga politics but in reality they know not. Had they understood Naga politics, they would have voted for NPF. Naga people take their decision and not basing on political objective and vision. There is no future for those people who takes decision out of hate, confusion and pride"

Reishang Muinao writes, "As a matter of fact, money can buy the will and choice of most villagers! So it's not only force that changed the scenario"

Fischer Mimin Haokip writes, " Whether NPF failed or not, it is laudable that you guys got a political party"

Maya Angkang writes, "Winning 4 seats Out of 12 is not bad in terms of percentage but in terms of FACT its worst. The fact is that if NSCN (I-M) did not involve NPF will not get a single seat. All this 4 seats credit should go to our underground so call freedom fighter. If they dont force the public and threat, NPF will be zero. And instead of realizing their mistakes NPF is so happy and celebrating for their 4 seats. Only God can help NPF. NPF (Need Prayer & Fasting)"

Chenithung Humtsoe writes "The choice lies with our Naga brothers and sisters from Manipur. Take it or leave it, you alone can do it"

Luikham Naga writes,
1. Use of excessive forces by NSCN IM cadres thinking this is the last bus/option.
2. Many educated Nagas who could help mobilize and help win the hearts and understanding of many who are confined in the villages / jungles are away from far home. Just like me and you whose votes are not even cast.
3. Lack of political wills and consciences of our leaders/people.
4. We uses forces, gun and muscles to get votes while they use power, tactics, money and brain to draw peoples attentions to win peoples support/vote.
5. Re-poll and Re-poll was also one of the main factors, which has reduce the expected numbers. Most importantly we've failed to understand among ourselves and also failed to acknowledge & controlled the situations. Good that we've realised all these. Eventually, let's wish all the best, support to those 4 elected and keep hoping for the best for the future.

To be continued ...

Edited by:
Dr. Thohe Pou, Admin. of Nagalim Times group in facebook.com