Defection pandemic has destroyed moral sanctity, stability and is also responsible for corruption and a complete slowdown of economy and backwardness.
Defection occurs when a person belonging to one party, joins the opposing party. It applies to all politicians, not only elected members. Defectors are traitors in real terms. When arrested, they face harassing interrogations and are liable to bear the consequences of their betrayal. Some nations even have laws to shoot them at sight. In North Korea, in some cases, defectors are punished for three generations. Even in our society, traitors and bribe-takers’ generations were punished by not being given responsibilities. It is Christianity that has overcome these customary laws.
Political defectors are traitors and liars for they betray their commitment and oath given to party and the voters. There is no greater crime than betraying the masses.
In Nagaland, some political leaders have defected as much as nine times. For some, I have lost count. Some members continue to defect from party to party every term. We have respect for the Speaker and Judiciary but the objective of Anti-defection has been murdered and defectors have prospered.
Nagaland State Assembly has a history of championing in defection. Nagaland has the first disqualification judgment which is now referred in the all disqualification cases in the Country.
Some senior politicians describe defectors as “political prostitute” – since both are in lieu of money. Religion and law view both the prostitute and the customer as equals in crime. Prostitution is an individual way of life. However, political defectors commit the most serious crime for they prostitute with the power and body of society.
The law is clear to disqualify (MPs and MLAs) defectors to strengthen the Institution of Democracy. In Nagaland, defectors know they can buy time and complete their term in the Assembly without judgement. In other states, at least the MLAs resign if they want to change.
In other nation(s) traitors and corrupt leaders are rejected and thrown to dustbins. In some countries, elected members can be recalled by their voters if the majority is not satisfied with the member’s performance. In Nagaland, we re-elect them because we vote for money. This is the reflection of Nagaland’s social standard. One can only assume how deep our faith in the Lord is. It is time that religion, society and political parties start talking to desist from encouraging such immoral characters in our society.
Sd/-
K Therie
President, NPCC
