SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024
Antonio Diniz
The eight MLAs that have defected to BJP must have slept soundly after some months of uncertainty and anxiety upon completing the mission that they set their hearts and minds on. Naturally mental tension and nervousness increases specially when there are elements of betrayal, immorality and ethics involved in their plan of action.
This time defection was not like the earlier ones, since the ruling party was not short of required MLAs to form government nor the government was in any danger of being outvoted or toppled. Nevertheless the CM Pramod Sawant had engineered the defection for some other reasons, perhaps to strengthen his position with more allies that would be faithful to him in case he faces some kind of internal revolt from his detractors within his own party. Also none of these eight will be in position to make extraordinary demands as they will have very little space to manoeuvre. The survival of government does not depend on these eight MLAs.
Anyway for the infamous eight the deal is done and important part of their mission is accomplished.
Most probably there will be some waiting period before further developments take place. The CM will not be in the mood nor in a hurry to topple his apple cart lest he antagonises his present members of BJP and old allies by showing unnecessary haste to implement changes.
The dreaming period for the inglorious eight starts now, always thinking and worrying of what is in store for them and ever hopping that better days will come. There are various ways by which a person can achieve success or build upon the success already achieved or preserve what has been achieved.
Sometimes it's not so easy in fact it becomes a tough task when you have let yourself tied up to some public holy rituals of religious nature. Generally politicians make various kinds of promises to voters, but hardly have intentions to fulfil them. But in Goa what Congress candidates did before 2022 Assembly Election in order to assure the electorate of Goa to preserve unity and maintain solidarity was something unique. People saw them gathering before the holy places and engage themselves in prayers and devotional songs and their actions were televised nationally on different TV channels, social and print media across the country.
But soon after the election results the circumstances changed and they felt that something had to be done to free themselves from the clutches of the oath they had publicly taken. Finally some of them devoid of any conscience and remorse mastered enough false courage decided to wrap up the oath in a paper and throw it away in waters of rivers Zuari or Mandovi. But there was an exception from one, to who always appeared to be extremely pious, had the gumption to claim that he sought permission from his gods before resorting to his act of treason.
Now the road ahead for the remaining three upright Congressmen is very tough. They should not only build the party from the ruins but also win back the confidence and trust of the voters. The second alternative is going to be very difficult.
