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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 got elected either by negative vote or by money power. Natural born leaders are dead 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 is just another routine thing. A true leader takes it cool and reacts positively and the issue is laid to rest.
Now coming to leaders who has zero target to achieve, you will observe 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 leaders. Achieving a short term goal for themselves does not contribute significantly to long term success, resulting in lack of direction. Ending in stagnation in their political career diminishing the sense of accomplishments over time. So invested in themselves for fear of not making it to the next NLA, they earned negative marks from party leader at home and voters. The next thing we know is voted out in the next .
Let me add some as to why leaders are changed every 5 year and a new one is elected? Well ,we don’t need to be a rocket scientist to explain it. 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. Now 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 shown his humble resolve to prove his credibility.
A smart politician plays like a smart businessman who lays down 5 to 10 years goals / target on achieving the first goal, another bigger goal is set and they do it. Thats how a smart and true politician does.
Furthermore, a smart leader plays a smart ball by neatly balancing his responsibility as minister. That upon being sworn in as minister, he is a minister not for his constituency alone but for all 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 bull in china shop crash landed has been my best teacher.
Some who had that long term vision are still doing good in the present NLA.
Secondly 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 party.
If I may, allowed me to mention two such loyal and discipline Naga Leaders like Late Vamuzo and Dr Surhozelie who are prime example of true leadership who in all the high and lows in their entire political journey remain focused and loyal to the party and later went on to became the chief minister of Nagaland. Yes no one is perfect. But in imperfections they did what they believe 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 into our head. Play cool. Not being over ambitious in your nascent stage as upcoming new leaders. You may have all the money in the world. That is not enough. If Loyalty. Trust and party discipline is missing in you, it won’t take you far.
Finally, let me make it clear that the demerits of short term politics are a sure sign of a short period of political journey.
Merits of long term politics is a long political journey earning lots of accolades. Respect and whisper of people praying for you along the way.
Either to choose the short stint and crash landing in disgrace or to choose the long term and memorable political journey depends on each individual. Leaders, either in the state or district in level. The choice is yours.
To the public: The day you say with conviction “Nobody owns me, am not voting for money. Am voting for the one I think is the right candidate to represent me”’, am sure there will be dawn of a new era . An era of hope and speedy development.
But if you still take money for vote, 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 vote.
We can still change the system. Let us be the change first.
Vanthungo Odyuo
President NCP Nagaland Kohima