Kohima, Feb. 3: Come elections, and God begins to clock overtime in Nagaland. After all, answering the prayers of all those politicians is not an easy task.

Naga politicians are going down on their knees, seeking forgiveness from God for past sins and asking for His divine intervention to help them win, as the polls draw near. God’s house is one noisy place now, as all politicians are following the Bible saying, “Knock and I will open the door for you,” in letter and spirit.

Though nominations are yet to begin, politicos here are busy attending church service, asking people to pray for them. Today being a Sunday was especially busy, as candidates of all parties attended church throughout the state and held special prayers at home.

Some politicians are reportedly donating cash to the churches in return for prayers and people’s blessings.

Moreover, Bible verses seem to have become the mainstay of candidates, who are trying to woo voters by showing their devout side.

The ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) was the first party to ask its candidates to first organise prayer meetings with church leaders and families to seek divine intervention so that the party can come back to power for the third term.

Prominent church priests are also busy attending special prayer meetings and declarations of candidature by candidates and political parties. They are not praying for an end to graft, crime and corruption in the public and private spheres but seeking blessings for the candidates.

On the other hand, the churches led by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council are praying for clean elections in the state.

“Our Naga politicians remember God only during the elections. God, who makes all things beautiful, will beautify their lives, too, if they live up to the promises they make to the people,” Pikato Swu, a churchgoer here, said.

A woman church leader, however, had this to say: “The Bible commands us to pray for those who are in leadership. This includes those who are vying to become leaders.”

And the devotion goes right to the top.

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio often says that God had answered his prayer and had chosen NPF to rule the state.