The BJP led government in Goa has completed more than four years in office, with less than a year left to complete its term. Has it fulfilled its electoral promises? During the run-up to the assembly elections in 2012 its leaders, notably ex-CM, Manohar Parrikar and then party PM nominee, Narendra Modi made extravagant promises to Goans. Have they been fulfilled?
Modi himself had at a public meeting at Panjim promised to grant special status to Goa if the BJP was voted to power. Manohar Parrikar had made promises by the dozens. He promised to abolish VAT on petrol. He assured to solve the problem of traffic jams and congestion in the capital city. He also assured to solve the burgeoning garbage crisis afflicting the state. More importantly, he promised to bring to justice the perpetuators of the massive mining scam and curb corruption in government offices.
He promised that casinos would be ordered to leave the Mandovi and confined to the high seas as soon BJP came to power. Margao’s traffic woes would be solved and the River Sal would be cleansed and pollution stopped. And promised allowance for educated unemployed for whom the government is unable to provide jobs. And what happened to the Regional Plan 2021. Why it’s in cold storage? Is it because BJP government is pandering to the real estate and builders lobbies? And receiving funds from them as quid pro quo?
These are just a few of the promises that Parrikar & Co made to lure the electorate. And lured they were. For the first time in its history, the BJP got an absolute majority in the Goa assembly. And it’s implacable foe. The Congress party was reduced to single digits, winning just nine seats. It’s promises coupled with rampant corruption under the Congress regime helped the party to encash massively.
Unfortunately it appears that we, Goans have been taken for a ride once again. The BJP has completely failed to keep its promises. None of the above have been fulfilled. In fact, there are reliable reports that some more casinos are likely to be allowed soon. It’s obvious that the BJP has realised that casinos are a rich source of cash funds which are required as elections draw near.
Besides, it has failed virtually in all areas of governance and its performance at best can be described as below average. Corruption in government offices like RTO is rampant. Matka gambling goes on in most towns under very nose of police. Are they receiving hafta to turn a blind eye. Garbage continues to be strewn everywhere. Driving in the morning to Panjim and returning in the evening is a harrowing experience. Salcete continues to be given stepmotherly treatment. The work at proposed District hospital near Margao continues at a snail’s pace. River Sal is left to its fate. Margao traffic woes continue. There’s hardly any development in South Goa.
Whatever happened to Modi’s promise to protect Goa’s identity by granting it special status? Was that also made with no intention of fulfilling, just like he made many others including bringing back “huge” amounts of illegal wealth stashed abroad within hundred days of coming to power? CM Parsekar has already conceded that the central govt will be able not grant special status to Goa and he had no regrets.
Parrikar had also promised zero tolerance to corruption. But did he mean only corruption by Congress party? How come serious criminal charges are pending against one of it’s ministers from South Goa but the SP of South Goa is sleeping on the file since Oct.,2015 and holding up filing of chargesheet against the accused minister? Similarly, another minister is charged with land grab and the courts have asked the police to file a FIR against him and his accused family members but to the police are not acting in the matter.
So is the BJP fight only against Congress and opposition parties while turning a blind eye to corruption and criminality within its own party? Is this not hypocrisy of the order? In fact, Parrikar had assured to appoint a Lokayukta as soon as possible. But we know what happened. For about three years the post was lying vacant. Now at the fag end of its term, the BJP govt has appointed one. Why this U-turn? What is the government scared of? Skeletons tumbling out of its cupboard? Why were the investigations slowed down and SIT reduced to a one man show? Why this lethargic attitude towards high ticket corruption of 35,000 crores as per the Shah commission report? Whom is the BJP govt protecting?
The people of Goa need to take all this into consideration at the time of voting for the assembly elections due in March, 2017. The future of Goa is at stake.
