Dimapur, Feb 16: As the poll date is nearing in the election bound Nagaland, the campaigning in
the tribal state is gaining momentum with candidates officially kicking off
their campaign trail with allegations flying thick and fast about use of money
power by the candidates to win.
The second largest town in Nagaland, Dimapur wears a usual
look as hurly burly of Indian election campaign like any other hill state is
missing. But the real action is taking place in the villages.
For instance Zhaleo Rio, retired IAS officer, contesting election on a NDPP ticket kicked off his campaign from Molvon village in Zunheboto district yesterday.
Similar is the story with other candidates.
Even as the political parties and their candidates keep up the public poster of ideology the real drama takes place behind the scene where muscle and money power plays supreme role in winning election.
“In Nagaland election is all about money. It’s so well organised that a voter will take money from only one and not from multiple candidates and vote honestly for candidate from whom he/her has taken money,” a former minister said.
While money is being doled out in abundance to buy votes, alcohol too is flowing in abundance as the election date is nearing. There were everyday reports of seizure IMFL in a dry state.
Meanwhile, civil society activists who are campaigning for a `clean election campaign’ says the people in urban areas people are waking up to the reality of having clean election but in rural areas the problem remains the same.
“In Nagaland during election only money changes pocket. In reality the cry for a change for a better Nagaland is a farce. Politicians know that very well and exploit it to their fullest for their gains,” a school teacher on the street of Dimpaur said.
According to data made available on clean election by a NGO, one candidate in the 2013 elections spent as much as Rs 40 crore to win election. In the same year, Zunheboto district topped the spending chart with Rs 167 crore while Dimapur had an estimated spending of Rs 155 crore.
According to the estimates, 33 candidates spent less than Rs 1 crore only one won, 85 candidates spent between Rs 1-5 crore (24 won), 42 candidates spent between Rs 5-10 crore (22 won), 12 candidates spent between Rs 10-20 crore (three won) and 11 candidates spent more than Rs 20 crore (eight won).
Nagaland goes to polls on February 27 the results of which will be declared on March 3. UNI
For instance Zhaleo Rio, retired IAS officer, contesting election on a NDPP ticket kicked off his campaign from Molvon village in Zunheboto district yesterday.
Similar is the story with other candidates.
Even as the political parties and their candidates keep up the public poster of ideology the real drama takes place behind the scene where muscle and money power plays supreme role in winning election.
“In Nagaland election is all about money. It’s so well organised that a voter will take money from only one and not from multiple candidates and vote honestly for candidate from whom he/her has taken money,” a former minister said.
While money is being doled out in abundance to buy votes, alcohol too is flowing in abundance as the election date is nearing. There were everyday reports of seizure IMFL in a dry state.
Meanwhile, civil society activists who are campaigning for a `clean election campaign’ says the people in urban areas people are waking up to the reality of having clean election but in rural areas the problem remains the same.
“In Nagaland during election only money changes pocket. In reality the cry for a change for a better Nagaland is a farce. Politicians know that very well and exploit it to their fullest for their gains,” a school teacher on the street of Dimpaur said.
According to data made available on clean election by a NGO, one candidate in the 2013 elections spent as much as Rs 40 crore to win election. In the same year, Zunheboto district topped the spending chart with Rs 167 crore while Dimapur had an estimated spending of Rs 155 crore.
According to the estimates, 33 candidates spent less than Rs 1 crore only one won, 85 candidates spent between Rs 1-5 crore (24 won), 42 candidates spent between Rs 5-10 crore (22 won), 12 candidates spent between Rs 10-20 crore (three won) and 11 candidates spent more than Rs 20 crore (eight won).
Nagaland goes to polls on February 27 the results of which will be declared on March 3. UNI
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