Maturing of Moneycracy : Vanishing Political Trust

New Delhi 

In more ways than one, experts say the power elite appear to be least troubled by the gathering storm.

Despite the number of democratic states has continued to grow, the share of weaker electoral democracies has grown significantly. This is a global phenomenon and the clock is ticking.

Closer home in India, the experience with democracy has been at best mixed and yet there is no other alternative. In Nagaland context, the general refrain is that the 'money' decided the poll outcome in Feb 2023 polls.

Even those who are cherishing the final outcome will do well to realise that in such a situation the state could be slowly walking into a dangerous zone - 'everyone will grow fed up with politics'.

This could bring in the vanishing political trust. I circulated a few questions for my friends and will be sharing their feedback here.

Do you generally take interest in politics ? Those above 40 among Naga friends including women replied in affirmative.

But among those in their twenties and thirties, the 'response' was discouraging. Thus are we to accept a Myth - The Popular

participation in politics is higher than before. 

This drags us to the next proposition Reality -- Insensitive political leaders, money-influenced farcical polls

and corrupt political parties have resulted in this widespread indifference. 'Ki koribo na' !

One feedback rings like a warning. "Everything under the present democratic system is Use and Throw;

and revolving around temporary mindsets of me, myself and my gangs. People losing trust in the dynamism of 

democracy and state concepts is a dangerous trend".

In these, another quote from a respondent is critical -- "Any political party is like a temporary hut or parking slot.

The Netas are only in search of a more lucrative space".

Sadly, however, when I grilled a few politicians and 'elected MLAs' in the present House - their refrain

was: 'Even voters look for lucrative offers. No use blaming us'. 

There were a few other takeaways.

In my rough estimates about 60-70 percent of respondents had 'No Hesitation/Doubt' in stating

that one should be loyal first to one's village clan/tribe etc. On this also, common voters say

they are unable to rise above such parochial considerations as the political masters have played

these games intensely in the last five-six decades. 

Political or party-wise polarisation just does not exist in Nagaland. Even the broad divide of regional Vs

national (that is Congress) has vanished in the last two decades. 

One well informed respondent wrote back: "In the past democracy and elections in Nagaland

had generated hopes. It heralded changes. Stalwarts like S C Jamir was defeated by A Kevichusa

in 1971 and Hokishe Sema by Rano Shaiza (post Emergency). Ms Rano Shaiza being a woman did not

prevent Naga voters opt for the UDF nominee and the 'Cock'  symbol".

But the respondent (we are concealing the gender) also hastened to add - "Democracy has quietly

replaced old power equations. In a number of cases people had reposed faith in young candidates. But as years

passed by, money became a more influential card. This has changed the character of politics and elections".

But if these observations are reflected back on the political class, a senior leader from Mon district said,

"In Nagaland politics is hardly based on party ideology. Voters do not bother much about what a political party 

stands for but they are more interested in what the MLA/Minister can give him/her and their families 

at the personal level  The general belief is if my Minister can give a job or two, those are either for my children

or my clans".

Thus, there is another Myth. The electoral system has ensured greater legitimacy for itself than the past.

Hence the Reality is -- "We do not care about votes and candidates and their parties. We want our share

of the cake, contract money and some benefits".

Thus, in Eastern Nagaland -- 'moneyed candidates' could garner substantial votes notwithstanding the past failures

and even total 'dislike' of the people vis-a-vis the political party/parties. 

On this, some Dimapur voters said -- "Money did not matter. We had complaints against Congress in the 

past, but in 2023, we voted for K Therie and we knew it was just a symbolic battle".

I also threw in a critical question -- Whether Governance in Nagaland would have been better without

political parties and elections?

On this too; the responses have been interesting. Six out of ten said 'no'. The reason being the system is

in rot and hence even officials will not be able to deliver because nepotism and other 'ugly isms' and parochial

considerations will be at play. 

 

The final takeaway is -- Doubts and Suspicion persist in every manner. 

In the subsequent stages, one will try to examine issues like IT revolution and Technology - Has this 

strengthened democracy? And if it has not, what is the roadmap? How does the Whatsapp industry still

encourage Selfish Manoeuvre to thrive?

ends