Goa has a date with her destiny on 4 February 2016, an important date because that is the day Goa will decide who will guide her destiny. Five years ago, Goa voted to throw out the Congress who it was felt had tried to take advantage of the electorate by foisting family raj, incompetent and corrupt individuals. They gave a clear mandate to the BJP who promised a progressive and corruption free Government.
Had the BJP delivered on their promise there would have been no cross road, but their performance and U-turns have left a bad taste in the mouth. They are promising development this time and feel corruption is not a major issue. Time will tell if that is acceptable to the electorate.
The Congress had five years to introspect and repair the damage. Revamping the party and bringing in new faces to replace the “grandfathers” in the party. While they did make the right noises, action and discipline was lacking. Mauvin Godinho who was elected on a Congress ticket decided to act and behave as a BJP MLA, the Congress leadership, or lack of it allowed him a free hand. The reason for accepting such blatant anti-party activities reflects the selfishness prevalent in the decision making. The two reasons are: if expelled Mauvin would become an unattached member and thus eligible to become a minister in the BJP Government. Laughable because he was made Chairman SGPDA where he tried to do himself a favour but for the alertness of the Fatorda MLA who check mated him and foiled the Margao ODP passing at the last moment. The second reason was if he was expelled, Rane would have to forego his Leader of the opposition designation.
Once the election were announced the Congress began to move, hemming and hawing about an alliance but decided to go alone and the block committees readied their candidates. As usual there was confusion and some of those in the final congress list of 36 had to begin campaigning not knowing what symbol to put on their leaflets. Luizinho, the person designated to provide new faces bowed down to the demands of his supporters and announced his own name for the Navelim seat, end of revival story.
Interestingly, all the decisions taken by Congress appear to benefit the BJP, not one decision is Congress-centric. The logic is clear and has been evident for all the five years in opposition, “silence” except for young turk Reginaldo. Most of the Congressmen have skeletons in their cupboard and this is being used to keep them either quiet or asking them to dance to the Ringmaster’s tune.
The BJP came to power by painting the Congress black. Yet in five years they were not able to find any evidence against the previous Government of graft. The one case where one MLA went to jail and the other fought tooth and nail to stay out was based on an investigation done by a foreign nation. So do we assume there was no graft and the BJP simply pulled the wool over our eyes. Of course not, the corruption everyone knows was evident, but the Government has decided to turn a blind eye, a la the U-turn statement in the power scam while welcoming the chief architect into the BJP. A bridge here or there is touted as development while the incomplete district hospital or the shambles that the infrastructure at GMC is in, is glossed over. Their attempt to straddle two boats, (Church and Sangh) while attempting to let the MOI issue flow in between has come a cropper. The break away fraction of the Sangh is proving the fact that ideology is an important part of any organisation especially political not just winnability.
AAP on the other hand has been replicating its Delhi model, they were first off the blocks when the election was declared and named their 40 immediately, infact many had a head start in campaigning, their manifesto creation was itself and exercise that gave them mileage. One may not agree with the choice of candidates but the process followed is something to be admired and maybe the more established parties could learn a thing or two from them. What they lack in funding is made up for by enthusiasm. Whatever the outcome, one will have to concede they have given the bigger and older parties something to think about.
Regional is the flavour of the day it seems. One reason could be that with demonetisation defunct parties have got a boost as political parties can deposit any amount without questions being raised. The other reason is the statistic that independents do not get elected a second time. Rohan Kaunte who flirted with Goa Forward as a mentor but decided to go solo may buck the trend.
Strangely, Vijai Sardesai, who is contesting on a Goa Forward ticket after delivering in Fatorda as an Independent and who was very vocal in the assembly, fell for the Congress dirty tricks for the second time. Cheated is how he summarised the outcome of alliance talks. Why would a regional outfit want an alliance, friendly or seat adjustment with an unscrupulous Delhi-based party. A fractured mandate, which seems a possibility would mean a lot of opportunities for horse-trading.
So while all the candidates have done their calculations and adjustments which would be in the best interest of their party, voters must ensure that no predesigned calculation which takes the voter for granted should succeed. Pour over the manifestos. Vote you must, remember bad people get elected because good people do not vote. On the 4th of Feb 2017, think hard and do you duty honestly for your State, the future depends on your vote.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat
in a balcao)
