A Critical Analysis of NPF's performance in Manipur Assembly Election
- Part 2 -

NTIMES Facebook *

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

Somipam Vashum writes, "The inception of NPF was actually the steps towards united Nagas, though we the Nagas were scattered in four states, we can be united through politically in one platform, which is provided by NPF. Many Nagas couldn't realize that far in the recently conducted election, which is also one of the reasons why NPF failed. It was not wrong to say that the NSCN plays a big role for NPF which was not that favourable because they snatched away the rights of NPF in choosing their candidates. The NSCN leaders chose their choice and at the same time those candidates were not the public choice.

The interference of NSCN frustrated the public as their rights to vote were again going to be denied. Naga people were not ignorance anymore they were exposed to the dynamic world of changed, guns can't convinced them anymore, they were frustrated by the constant violence created by NSCN. Moreover, the Congress candidates were far more competent as compared to NPF candidates. Therefore in the years to come let NSCN gives freedom to the NPF to choose their candidates, which is competent and energetic not an aging people"

Athing Khamrang writes "Many good points have been shared to this thread. For the Nagas- the recently concluded 10th Manipur Assembly Election was not just an election for electing a representative to the Assembly but it was an election to prove the Unity of the Nagas and to show that we the Nagas in Manipur wants to be integrated with the Nagas living in other parts of the world. In my opinion, the reason why NPF failed in the recent election were:
1. Nagas are more concerned for their own self rather than for the Naga Nation.
2. Today, many younger generations do not understand the values of our identity. If we do really have a concern for our genuine cause and understand the value of our identity, I don't think a single Naga will vote for any Indian/ Manipur state political party."

Jeremiah A V Duomai writes, "Some other reasons are given below:
1. The candidates were not the best ones available.
2. The Manipur Naga voters did not simply understand the motive of UNC.
3. Congress party/candidate has so much more money than NPF party/candidate.

Somipam Vashum writes, "The sense of patriotism has lost in the heart of Nagas, we need to build and inculcates the sense of nationalism. We've been living under oppression and suppression for too long therefore we're adapted to it and now we felt contended under the oppressor hand. This is unfortunate, because one day if the Manipur Land Reform Act is passed, we'll be landless, homeless, refugees and minority in our own land"

Chipen Patt writes, "Here is my view: The NPF made an entry into Manipur at the wrong time considering the geo-political imbroglio that Nagaland and Manipur have. The entry of NPF into Manipur sent shockwaves across Manipur and it awakened the sense of fear in the people out there, the sense of losing their land (districts inhabited by Nagas) to Nagaland and that made the people work against NPF. To sum it up, the NPF should have studied the ground realities thoroughly before venturing into the Manipur election. It all comes down to wrong timing but now that they have taken the first step, let's hope they fare better next time"

Pips Ningshen writes, "Politics is money making time for larger part of the segment in any society speaking in general politics and money go hand in hand and we cannot deny this fact. Politics without money is a cripple politics now with reference to the above status many have already gone into deep analysis and already knows the cause and effect. NPF cannot make it because they don't have enough to spend in simple term. Our people politics end up with few Gandhi's notes and gathering and eating and drinking for that few days before the election at the candidate's house. This is what we are mostly no matter how they spread our ideology for the cause, remember they are dealing with our village people with village mental set up who can be easily woo with money because who on earth don't want money. If the opponent spends hundred they should be ready to spend thousand than only they will win. About the Ug's, if they really want to help, let them not help with force and guns with but suitcase full of fat currency notes."

Soreingam Kashung writes, "Public are not united; we do not have clear picture about our struggle. We are short sighted and that gives our Brothers and Sisters in Arms a hard time. It makes India Govt. confused about our real intentions and demands. Political candidates took the advantage of this confusion for their personal gain, money, power and prestige. We (Naga Public) failed miserably in our assessment about our struggle. We are confused between rights and short term developments, mindset limited to individual gain instead of society"

Elow Fuzeh writes as, "1. NPF lost because they ambushed Manipur politics suddenly.
2. Public were not aware of what they are to follow.
3. Seeing the unawareness of the public, other candidate beside NPF started bribing the voters.
4. NPF uses UG power to defeat other candidate.
5. Money power rule over the gun; thus NPF fall off"

Shem Shpunii Koh writes, "First, selection of candidates were not democratically done as promised by them; it seems that wealth of a candidate was given prior importance to the quality.
Secondly, pre-poll plan and activities were very poorly planned. They did too little to convince the public, rather they rely more on the muscle power of some UGs. This alienated some of the public from supporting the party.
Thirdly, NPF couldn't provide a clear cut feasible steps to future course of action but some decorative phrases without judging its implementabilities vis-a-vis Manipur.
Mostly importantly, people were apprehensive that NPF being elected can do much for the Nagas outside Nagaland"

Ephrii Pfoze writes, "TIME FACTOR: To spread the message of oneness and unity and to make the people aware of the policies and agendas in all the Nag a inhabited areas by setting up youth and women wings etc would boost the party but almost the entire public were caught unaware leading to chaos. People failed to see the difference between this election and the previous election. NPF also failed to convince the people.

Leadership crisis: Choosing the right candidate who understands and listen to the sufferings of the common people and work efficiently with the party workers is important. Inefficient leaders and lacking proper mobilization could able to win only 4 seats.

Organisation: Unity between the different organisations is needed for a revolution but we failed because of the loopholes; differences cropped up between the leaders of many organisations misleading the already confused minds of the masses.

POLITICAL LEADERS: Visionless leaders who go against the aspiration and wishes of the Naga cause took the confused minds of the masses as an opportunity for their selfish gains and their lust for power forbids them to gracefully step down and pave the way for the bolder and more passionate people willing to sacrifice more for the cause. We all failed because of those political leaders.

NAGA PUBLIC: Divide and rule policy of the communal Govt. has made the people to live Hand to Mouth. We have been long suppressed and subjugated to unjust ruling and tremendous discrimination by the ruling class, this long suffering make the people to search for immediate relief and survival. Short sightedness and lack of patience among the masses have failed us altogether.

Reconciliation and unity among the public, national workers, political leaders, intellectuals, organisations is the need of the hour to bring forward our cause because everybody has an equal share to contribute to our cause. When the valley people unite together for integrity, we failed to unite ourselves for integration. Our cause will go on and we must learn to correct the mistakes because where there is unity everything is possible"

Some of the common reasons given by NTIMES members:

1. Improper selection of the NPF candidates
2. Weak foundation (lack of preparation) of NPF and too sudden entry into Manipur
3. Use of muscle power by NPF supporters gave a negative impression to the public
4. Gullible villagers were easily influenced by money power
5. NPF campaigners could not convince the public in short time
6. Candidate was weak, and not the party
7. Money is more effective than muscle power in politics
8. The public could not understand the main points of NPF's manifesto
9. Lack of participation by Naga intellectual in Naga politics
10. Lack of understanding on the part of the people regarding the Naga cause and/or the aim of political unity through a political platform like NPF

In conclusion, we would like to quote one of the members, Adi Vemai, who writes, "NPF have got a very big task ahead. The candidates need to work very hard for the people. NPF entering was one of the reasons why the Congress did very well in all the valley areas"

Concluded ...

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