Nagas' Dilemma in Choosing MP Candidate

By Dr. R.B. Thohe Pou *

Whether it is the MLA or M.P. election - the Naga people are always in dilemma in recent years in choosing their right candidate till the election is over.

This precisely shows that we in transition and confusing stage where both the leaders and public have different perceptions and understanding. You have the freedom to live but do you have the right and freedom to vote for the candidate that you want?

Do you know who will be the best candidate in this M.P. election?
Are you going to choose the candidate based on his or her capability or due to the compulsion from "so called leaders" of your community?

Till late 1980s, the M.P. elections were hardly known in the village. But today the situation had tremendously changed; the village leaders are now actively involved in M.P. election campaigning. It shows the people have awareness and their rights to choose and vote according to their intuition.

However when the people commenced to know their own rights to vote for their own candidates; so called "the leaders of the people" commenced to pressurize the public to vote only for a particular candidate.

Do you think that the Nagas are still incapable to rationalize and choose their own candidate? When will the Naga come to know how to choose their own candidate? Do you think that the Naga leaders compel the public to vote 'so called the leaders' choice candidate'?

Does the Naga public have the right to choose their own candidate without the compulsion from 'so called their leaders'? In every election - the Naga people are in dilemma whom to vote because the public are not convinced to vote for the candidate, so called the Naga leaders' chosen candidate.

Do you think that the leaders are incapable to convince and mobilize the public to support their chosen leader? Or the public does not want to listen to their advice? Here the only problem may be the leaders are careless or incapable to convince and mobilize the public to vote the candidate whom they are supporting.

Today, we are in the age of reasoning and conviction and the leaders should be capable to convince the public to vote for their chosen leaders. If the leaders are incapable to convince the public - they are just another leader by "name" that exists in their organization.

Our present leaders represent for the public but they should also be capable to convince and mobilize the common people to vote for any particular candidate otherwise it may bring more misunderstanding and divisions in the society instead of working together with them.

If the present MP has done something beneficial for the public and capable to continue - I wish that he should get another chance to serve for the people. However he should give in details to the public what he has done for the public in last 5 years and the public should be convinced to vote again for him otherwise it may be unwise to vote again for him.

If there is any new candidate who is more capable to work for the public - let us also give him or her chance to work for the public. Regardless of the candidate from different village or community, we need to support the candidate who will work and represent for the public so that we may enjoy the fruits of our present excellent decision in next 5 years.

Today the Nagas are in the stage of transition and we need the leader who has the vision to lead the people in the right way and stand for the public in the parliament. You and I can represent; anybody can represent in the parliament or stay in Delhi if we give him or her a chance.

But an incapable leader who has not vision and courage to stand for us will bring only disgrace to us instead of bringing glory for his her people. There may be some people who are running after money and want to vote for the candidate who will pay the highest for them but today most of people want to vote for the candidate who is capable to represent in the parliament and work for the public.

In this age of reasoning and conviction - the fancy political promises cannot convince the public without any feasible promise. We want unity and development in our villages and towns and the candidate should be chosen by the public to represent in the parliament for the public.

Today we need to be more circumspective in choosing the right candidate with our free mind and heart without any external force. Let us take a deep breath now and take the right decision to choose the best candidate who will represent and work for the public.