Understanding the attack on Mr Preshaw : Power of the gun over ballot power
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: April 11 , 2014 -

The attack on Deputy Speaker and Congress MLA from Chingai Assembly Constituency, Preshaw Shimray should not be seen in isolation of the overall atmosphere under which the Outer Parliamentary Constituency went to polls on April 9.

It should also be seen in the context of the 2012 Assembly election, wherein quite a few supporters of the MLA were thrashed brutally in the run up to the election as well as the rounds of charges and counter charges that did the round this time.

The attack cannot be removed from the abduction and subsequent release of former MLA and Minister Dr Khashim Ruivah, a strong advocate of the BJP candidate in the Outer Constituency, Professor Gangmumei Kamei as well as the abduction and again subsequent release of the poll agent of the BJP candidate in Senapati district just a day ahead of the polls.

A damning statement that muscle power, threats, intimidations, diktats and other unfair means were used in the run up to the election. Making a mockery of the so called peace that was purportedly ushered in when the IM faction of the NSCN signed the truce pact with the Government of India way back on August 1, 1997.

More than indicative that the true essence and understanding of democracy has been hit for a big six, to borrow a term from the game of cricket.

No one was killed and there have been no official reports about any physical harm done to anyone in the run up to the polls, but the fear that lurked in the minds of the voters was discernible.

This is not something which has been cooked up by some fertile minds, but an observation passed after getting feedbacks from various quarters and media houses do get feelers and feedbacks from the general public.

That it was not reported in the media is a different matter, for fear is a state of mind and something not tangible that can be proved.

So how free and fair was the election in the Outer Parliamentary Constituency ?

On a scale of 1 to 10 where would the office of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Election Commission of India put the fair conduct of the election ?

No doubt it would score high, for polling officials are most likely not going to give a true account of the situation under which the election was held, for reasons which should be obvious to all.

How else does one explain the fact that in some polling stations voting wound up before noon, though hardly any voters were seen ?

Not acceptable in a democracy that too in a country which prides itself as the largest democracy in the world.

The fate of the ten candidates have been sealed but can anyone of them or any of their supporters really say that the election was held in a free and fair manner, where the voters were allowed to make their own free choice ?

There will be no clear cut answer to this poser but be sure that there will be charges and counter-charges, with each contender pointing fingers at each other.

In such a situation the biggest loser is the public, the silent majority, whose voice are never heard in the corridors of power and top this off with the point that their right to make their own free choice has been snatched and here is a perfect script to make a mockery of the whole exercise of choosing one’s representative.

The power of the gun prevailing or trying to prevail over the ballot is not a healthy sign at all.