People of India have spoken
The outcome of the parliamentary elections has thrown up several interesting points. In the 2024 election campaign, Prime Minister Modi campaigned on issues like mangalsutra, mutton, machhali, Mughal and mujra – issues which did not resonate with the common masses. However, as the votes were counted, it became clear that the working-class voters, farmers, informal workers, women and youth were not swayed by this barrage of religious hate. Burning issues such as unemployment and price rise have cost the party dear. The Bharatiya Janata Party was successful in getting a majority on its own for a long time but will now have to be pragmatic when running the nation. It will have to listen to its coalition partners and even the Opposition given the altered ground realities.
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Anish Esteves, Mumbai
Politics of vendetta to haunt voters?
Modi has with the help of his fair weather friends managed to hijack the popular mandate and would soon anoint himself PM for the third time. Of course, the two allies must have extracted their pound of flesh to prop up an NDA government, actually a BJP government for all practical purposes. Though it was a pyrrhic victory for the saffron party, Modi glossed over the losses and gloated that the BJP alone had won more seats than the INDIA Bloc. The megalomaniacal streak in Modi will continue and five things will invite his and Shah’s immediate attention.
Breaking up the INDIA Bloc, buying over or intimidating non BJP poll winners, deploying the ED, IT cell, IT, NIA and other agencies with renewed vigour to decimate the opposition, dismantling the judiciary, which has sometimes proved to be a thorn in their flesh, weaken both their allies TDP and JD (U) and eventually eliminate them by engineering defections.
The setback at the hustings, especially the popular verdict for Ayodhya has hurt Modi’s ego tremendously and he is sure to extract revenge. Expect more of the same in his third term, infact things would get worse.
Rekha Sarin Trehan, Benaulim
May the Almighty guide our politicians
The dust over the recent Lok Sabha Election results seems to have settled but the storm seems to be raging in the matter of government formation.
This election has thrown up an interesting scenario. After a decade, coalition dharma has come into play and two king makers have suddenly made their appearance.
Both the NDA & INDIA Bloc members are in consultation among themselves to decide the future course of action.
However, what the country needs is a stable government, a strong and vibrant opposition. The citizens of the world’s largest democracy certainly deserve this. Once again, let the Almighty guide our politicians and decide what’s best for our country
Melville X. D’Souza, Mumbai
There’s a definite shift in dynamics of Goan politics
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has reportedly said that
INDIA Bloc’s next mission will be the “Goa Assembly Polls 2027” and that they will win over 30 seats out of the 40 assembly constituencies in the State.
It must be said that the INDIA Bloc has done exceedingly well in the Lok Sabha polls by winning the South Goa seat and has every right to be optimistic to do well in the Assembly polls.
In South Goa, INDIA Bloc got a sizeable lead in nine assembly constituencies and in eight constituencies they trailed marginally. This comes as a big boost for the alliance. ‘Ab ki baar 30 par’ is reportedly the agenda for the assembly polls. This may seem achievable if the alliance will work for the people in the right earnest right from now. In South Goa, it has been a people’s victory for the INDIA Bloc. The alliance needs to keep in contact with the people if it has to come to power in Goa. Their performance in the assembly elections will also depend on how aggressively the aspirations of the people of Goa are presented in parliament by the newly elected Member of Parliament Capt. Viriato Fernandes. All said and done there seems to be a definite shift in the dynamics of Goan politics.
All eyes are now on the Benaulim Zilla-Panchayat by elections scheduled on June 23 which will reportedly be contested by an AAP candidate.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Uphold food safety standards
Globally, one in ten persons fall ill by contaminated food every year. Consuming contaminated food can cause over 200 diseases, from trivial to severe, according to the WHO. As is known, the presence of bacteria, viruses and parasites in spoilt food can harm an otherwise healthy person via foodborne diseases. Being prepared for the unexpected is always a sensible option with regard to food safety.
In other words, everyone should foresee “food incidents”. Every person has the right to safe, sustainable and nutritious food. Accidents and inadequate control are the leading causes of contaminated food. Natural events, too, can defile food. Safe food handling and storage are key, and precaution while preparing food is paramount.
Myths about what constitutes hygienic food and what not need to be broken. Apart from public health, sustainable development, food security and international trade receive a fillip through healthy food practice. This only means, food safety is a shared responsibility: producers, retailers and regulators have the onerous task of keeping food free from contamination.
The ‘World Food Safety Day’ was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on June 7, 2018. Its main aim is to promote the prevention, detection and management of foodborne diseases.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
