Jubilate Kazingmei
The word “Ideology’ was first used during the French Revolution to designate the science of ideas. Karl Marx and Lenin used this word in a very specific context and is now used in sociological term with scientific meaning. According to Marx ideology is a false rational explanation to hide a social reality. In other words it is a rational interpretation with a vested interest to give a false outlook to a social reality. But Lenin added a positive dimension by saying that ideology can also be understood as a rational explanation to mobilize people towards a goal. The rational explanation of NSCN(I-M) or UNC can hide reality in a negative way or can be formulated to play a positive role in mobilizing the Nagas towards the objective of Naga integration and Naga freedom.
In earlier election the NSCN (I-M) had called for boycotting the election on ground that they do not accept solution under the constitutional frame work of India. However, resolving conflict in democratic processes has to be constitutional whether we like it or not. The divided opinions of the Nagas to the boycott call only paved the way for the Kuki to represent in Parliament and some of the assembly constituencies and the Nagas particularly the ruler poor had suffered.
The NSCN (I-M) and UNC is taking a huge risk by setting up candidates of their choice as there is every possibility that the independent candidates supported by them will loose. Candidates who sought blessing of the UNC and rushed to Hebron camp had rather exposed themselves that they are incapable of fighting the election on their own potential and popularity. Even worse because some of the candidates sought the blessing of the UNC only when congress ticket was denied to them and became soar grapes. Just a week ago UNC had condemned the sitting MLAs as “betrayers” and God knows what sanctification process they had gone through at Hebron camp they turned out as UNC nominees again. Such instant twist confuses the Naga Civil society and people cannot believe those candidates became true in their commitment to the Naga cause just overnight whereas throughout their political career they have not had their opinion expressed any time. This is not the first time NSCN cadres have involved in elections officially or unofficially and candidates supported by them were defeated affecting the credibility of the organization.
Another aspect of the risk involved is that their support for one particular candidate will mean alienation of others and that way they will be causing a lot of psychological distance between the majority people and the NSCN(I-M) which may not be desirable. No damage control exercise is ever seen done after every blunder they commit. In fact it would have been wiser and even better for UNC to allow every aspiring candidate and party to contest and rather take oath of all to uphold and safe guard the interest of the Nagas and also lay down a programme of action.
Constitutionally for altering inter state boundary the parliament not only requires two third majority but also needs the consent of concerned states for which a few independent MLAs can at the most make some noise. UNC’s guideline that candidates supported by them shall not align themselves with any regional or national party will mean excluding them from holding positions of power, detrimental to the interest of the poor. Nevertheless the armed cadres will continue to have unholy nexus with those in power and position and for them it makes no difference as they will always remain back seat drivers of the Govt. What is confusing for the people is that armed cadres tell us not to associate with the system of the Govt. of India and in terms of drawing benefits for their own family and relatives they are themselves not keeping distance from the system. It may be ideal to tell the people to think first for the Nation then for the family and themselves but how many will take this ideal is a big question, even when you see others making fortunes for themselves and their relatives are getting Govt. jobs and schemes through their influence. Every Naga associates emotionally with the freedom movement but not with the behaviour of the armed cadres.
NSCN(I-M) cannot afford to care less about their image and credibility than anything else and needs to think twice before they deprive basic rights of the civil society. In fact, India as the largest democracy stands third in the world in terms of rights and entitlements offered to its citizens. It will be a blunder on the part of NSCN (I-M) and the UNC if the people choose to resist the deprivation of their freedom of expression and do not support the candidates supported by them. Such outcome cannot be ruled out as the saying goes – “More men are guilty of treachery through weakness then through studied design to betray and that there are no principles on empty stomach”. There is no visible indication that the wind is blowing their way.
The slogan of Naga integration may not be a strong factor to cause wave for the election in view of the fact that there is not much love lost even among the Naga brothers. NSCN (K) in their factional power politics denounces the Tangkhuls as non Nagas and Naga integration will mean only the end one conflict and the beginning of another which may be even worse even if we are integrated.
Meanwhile merger of regional parties and consolidation of MPP exclusively for the valley people seems to indicate that there is no political will even among the Meiteis to minimize development disparity between hills and valley thereby reduce ethnic differences and psychological distance between the two people. What is interesting is whereas corruption in the state is considered an issue worse than HIV/AIDS in the state, no party or individual candidate has raised it as election issue and no one even has mentioned the significance of RTI in such a corrupt state where there is absolutely no accountability for criminal actions of public authority.
