Vanthungo Odyuo
President NCP Nagaland
Firstly, a leader is elected to serve the people and not to humour themselves and a few selected people. We may consider such a leader to be just another guy who got lucky and was elected either by negative vote or by money power. Natural-born leaders are unshakeable in their resolve and vision they envisaged. No money can buy their integrity. They are serious about what they want and what to achieve in 5 to 10 years' time. They make it happen. They play smart politics and are enemies to none of their fellow legislators. Some political differences, if any, between them are just another routine thing. A true leader takes it cool and reacts positively, and the issue is laid to rest.
Now let's talk about short-term political leaders. You will find them investing for themselves the entirety of their tenure. You will find them distancing themselves from their voters, thereby limiting themselves to just a one-time elected leader. Why do they invest for themselves? It could be for fear of not making it to the next NLA. Such leaders, with no target or goals, earn negative marks from party leaders at home and voters as nothing good is seen coming out from them. The next thing we know, they are voted out in the next election.
Let me add some insight into why leaders are changed every 5 years and a new one is elected. Well, we don't need to be a rocket scientist to explain it. They are voted out for not delivering the goods. The same people who push them up can pull them down. As simple as that. When you have an appetite for your stomach only but care less about others who push you up, they unseat you.
However, I have seen many MLAs who have done exceedingly well with the little they have, earning second innings. That's smart and long-term politics. Their people are well aware of the fact that he doesn't have a portfolio. But with the little resources, he has shown his humble resolve to prove his credibility. A smart politician plays like a smart businessman who lays down 5 to 10 years' goals/targets. On achieving the first goal, another bigger goal is set, and they do it. That's how a smart and true politician acts.
Furthermore, a smart leader plays a smart ball by neatly balancing his responsibility as a minister. Upon being sworn in as a minister, he is a minister not for his constituency alone but for the whole Nagas.
In my almost 3 decades of active political life, I have seen true leaders who had long spotless political innings as well as one-time elected leaders who were exiled by their voters into political wilderness. Observing how a leader with a zeal to uplift the ailing society succeeded and was there for a long halt in the power corridor, and how many acted like a wrecking ball in a china shop and crash-landed, has been my best teacher. Some who had that long-term vision are still doing good in the present NLA.
Loyalty to party principles/ideology and playing constructive smart politics
In any political party, discipline and loyalty of every member is paramount. A true political leader will not abandon his party even when others jump ship for many benefits they have been promised by other rival parties. Allow me to mention two such loyal and disciplined Naga leaders: Late Vamüzo Phesao and Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, who are prime examples of true leadership. In all the highs and lows in their entire political journey, they remained focused and loyal to the party and later went on to become the Chief Minister of Nagaland. Yes, no one is perfect. But in their imperfections, they did what they believed in. Loyalty and party discipline they hold so dear could not be crushed.
My intention for writing this small piece is to encourage our new leaders to learn from the past. Polish the rough edges and be leaders with a long-term vision. We need not allow power to go to our heads. Play cool. Don’t be overambitious in your nascent stage as an upcoming new leader. You may have all the money in the world. That is not enough. If loyalty, trust, and party discipline are missing in you, it won’t take you far.
Let me encourage young leaders to play smart long-term politics for a long political journey, earning lots of accolades, respect, and whispers of people praying for you along the way.
Either to choose the short stint and crash-land in disgrace or to choose the long term and memorable political journey depends on each upcoming leader. With a great sense of hope, I leave the choice to each leader today and leaders of tomorrow.
To the public: The day you say with conviction, "Nobody owns me; I am not voting for money. I am voting for the one I think is the right candidate to represent me," I am sure there will be a dawn of a new era. An era of hope and speedy development. But if you still take money for votes, we get the same short-term leader who, without a grain of doubt, will try to recover his election expenses, where you can't open your mouth against him, as you are already owned and bought by the one you took cash and other things for votes. We can still change the system. Let us be the change first.
