Goa, since liberation has been under the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party government followed by the Indian National Congress and now the Bharatiya Janata Party. While the MGP willed for Goa to become a backyard of Maharashtra but failed due to the United Goans Party under the redoubtable Dr Jack de Sequeira, the Indian National Congress promised much but did not deliver. The nadir of the INC was the massive fraud of the illegal mining, which cheated the government of, according to M B Shah’s report, a massive Rs 35,000 crore.
Mining ceased in 2012 after the intervention of the Supreme Court and till today, the BJP government does not seem to be seriously interested in investigating and charging those who are involved in the illegalities. It seems that the BJP has no will to bringing the culprits to book, and the reasons seem to be incomprehensible, when they have a clear mandate in the Centre as well as the State. However, attempts are being made to re-start mining activities without investigating the previous illegalities. The Supreme Court should not accede to the Goa government’s demand to re-start mining activities without first nailing the guilty in the illegal mining scam in Goa.
It is commendable that the AAP is showing urgency in governing Delhi in a very efficient manner and is trying to nip corruption in the bud. It is laudable that the AAP is not veering from its election promises to make life livable in Delhi and corruption-free. This type of a model is required in Goa and though we are almost two years away from the Assembly elections, Goans should ponder and decide for their own benefit who to bring to power in Goa.
Since the AAP has a base in Delhi, they should co-ordinate with their Delhi counterparts and fight the mining scam case to impress upon the Goan people that they deserve their votes by fighting major causes of the Goans. AAP, like in Delhi would be the alternative choice for a small state like Goa. The other major issues that the AAP has to take up include the disbanding of the Land Acquisition Bill, which involves the whole of India, and which will affect the lives of the tribals as well as the farmers, whose lands will be usurped for the benefits of the big corporates.
Goan-centric issues which include the Portuguese nationality issue and trying to make the status quo as the law, the Mopa airport issue, the marinas issue as well as the issue of inequitable allotment of government jobs to people of all communities, should be taken up. The AAP credo that efficiency in administration and rooting out of corruption are of utmost relevance is applicable to Goa in a big way. AAP should immediately begin drives to sort out the maladies of Goa, which will definitely garner them support. Let AAP begin a massive investigation in the illegal mining issue in the first place so as to assuage the Goan electorate. AAP should strive in a big way to make political inroads in Goa as an indication of it becoming a national party that is a major contender in India and which portrays a compact pan-India agenda.
