Vote for clean politics and a credible leader
Politics and politicians should be evaluated on their own manifesto. Firstly the ruling party should be assessed for the 5 years thoroughly on certain execution grounds like education, employment, welfare, health and holistic approach for Senior citizens and women, infrastructure, development, environment. If they have not performed and not kept their promises to the people in the 5 ruling years they should be barred from contesting for the next term.
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In the meantime they may do administrative duties to assist the ruling party and learn from their own mistakes too. A probation period to better development it will prove indeed.
An administrative assessment bench alongside the Opposition Party comprising all seniors: a CA a Judge an advocate a MBA finance and a Forbes listed Indian businessman should be in the main panel of Assesses for the Evaluation in accordance with the general public at every village and town level. Every village and town will always give the factual and actual performance report of the ruling party and their elected representatives. It can be compiled every year to check gradual progress.
We need to update our facts and figures thoroughly before we vote. In the end it is our Democracy. A party who will be elected to execute for the people by the people and definitely of the people!
Rosebud Leitao, Chinchinim
Vote wisely
The money given would be spent in no time, the goods given will be utilised in no time, however the Government you vote is here to stay for 5 years. We all know what we need in terms of change, development and prosperity. Hence vote for the deserving candidate so that there are no regrets for the next 5 years.
Elroy Lopes, Chinchinim
Is Goa on the way to be a paradise?
I had the fortune to witness several elections both for the Lok Sabha as well as the Goa Assembly. As usual each political party prior to the elections released manifestos listing some of the schemes, plans and promises that they would be implementing for the voters after they got elected and formed the government.
Some of the notable promises made then to the electorate were: Indian National Congress – “Garibi Hatao” besides providing basic facilities in education and health care and housing for all. The Communist and Socialist parties of India promised social and economic equality where everyone would be financially well of and the gap between the rich and poor would be completely eliminated. Later BJP under the PM Modi came up with a catchy slogan “Shab Ka Sat Shab Ka Vikas”, also employment, prosperity and happiness to all.
Somehow Indian electorate believed in all these appealing slogans and promises, because they appeared to be beneficial and implementable in the period of five or less years. However successive governments never took seriously what they had promised, under the assumption that most voters have short memories and would be forgotten with time. Thus the lot of the common people continued without any noticeable change in their fortunes. People continued to work hard to improve their overall conditions by using all available means to them both legal and illegal. Hence the inefficient administration, corruption, bribing and nepotism flourished beyond proportion and the rich became richer.
It’s no exaggeration if I say that almost all the political parties are offering the voters not only the sky but the moon, the sun and the stars. However by any stroke of luck or on account of exceptional political acumen the promises materialise into realities than Goa is certainly not far away from becoming a paradise in India with all their aspirations fulfilled.
Antonio Diniz, Fatorda
Day of reckoning for Goa
Today, February 14, which is the polling date for the State, is a day of reckoning for Goans and Goa. Voters will vote for their future, the future of their children and indeed the future of Goa. It will probably be one of the most important State elections the citizens will be voting for. Goa is at the crossroads and the outcome of these elections will have far fetching consequences for Goans. Voters need to decide whether they should vote for a candidate or the political party.
There may be a feeling that their favourite candidate is in the wrong party. Nevertheless the voter needs to exercise discretion and vote in the overall interest of the State. These will also be the most complicated elections thus far. The issues facing the people are many and so is the number of political parties in the fray. The electorate has a wider choice. This could also be the reason for the voters to face a dilemma. Be that as it may, what is more important is for every eligible voter to come out and exercise his/her franchise. The voters need to make a wise choice and think that the future of the state will depend on their solitary vote.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Promises are made only in heaven
These days we see lots of oaths and promises undertaken by our ministers. Promises are made regarding developments, improvements and anti-defections in each other constituencies. This happens every time before there are elections taking place in our country. It’s like using a face makeup just before the elections. Hot mixing of roads or just some patch-ups, organise some social entertainments, games or dramas, events for free for the public and even free medical examination checkups all begin at the eleventh hour. This goes on and on. Once the elections are over and the candidate is elected to power then everything goes back to default and all those promises are forgotten.
Such is the state of our chosen candidates and for the next five years they are only interested in developing their areas only for their own personal gains, benefits and pilling wealth. Here is when the corruption starts each cycle of the year. The needs of the common man are neglected and ignored. ‘Roti, Kapada and Makhan’ are the basic rights and necessities of the common man. And if these are uncared for, then why should we give our precious votes? After 60 years of freedom, what have we achieved? Show me one nice hot mixed road, one nice fish market, one nice railway station, one nice hospital, one nice; park or garden, one nice car park, one nice jetty, one nice bridge or one nice footpath. Nothing has changed but the same things with different carpets.
Cajetan R D’Souza, Sanvordem
Seeking divine intervention
Goans seek Divine intervention for the elections on Feb 14, 2022. The choice before us is not good; honest, responsible, humble and accountable candidates versus winnable ones; but between evil, lesser evil and a known devil is better than an unknown angel.
Voters fall into three categories: 1) Those who want the good and welfare of the state; 2) those who seek their own interests and have succumbed to some form of inducements; 3) those who are least bothered because life will continue as normal no matter who comes into power. So, the real issue is not who comes to power but what will be the state of affairs in Goa post elections.
The complete system is corrupt and rotten with deep roots in all spheres of life. The battle is not between candidates. It is between good and evil – a spiritual warfare, with evil trying to control all aspects of human life without God. Truth is denied and lies are embraced. Hence, who will address this basic problem?
Let every Goan voter exercise his/her right, trusting in Divine Providence, saying under one’s breath, in humility: “Thy will be done, O Lord.”
Dominic Mathews, Siolim
