Et tu Pratima?
The betrayal of Vijai Sardesai by Pratima Coutinho in Fatorda has all the elements of a Shakesperean tragedy. Pratima Coutinho’s “high command” induced backstab of Vijai Sardesai, is a story of ultimate betrayal, where many local opponents of his Vijai were willing script writers.
We dint know if Sardesai is a lover of Shakespeare, but he could, in his moment of pain read Julis Caesar, Act 3, Scene 1 line 77, where Caesar utters three words “Et tu, Brute?”
Perhaps the most famous three words uttered in literature, “Et tu, Brute?” (Even you, Brutus?) has come down in history to mean the ultimate betrayal by one’s closest friend. This scene, in which the conspirators in the Senate assassinate Caesar, is one of the most dramatic moments on the Shakespearean stage. Brutus, a friend of Caesar and yet a man who loves Rome (and freedom) more, has joined the conspirators in Caesar’s assassination, a betrayal which is captured by the three words “Et tu, Brute?”
Vijai Sardesai could well ask ‘Et tu Pratima?’
The dramatis personae of the Shakespearean tragedy of Fatorda are Vijai Sardesai and Pratima Coutinho, Youth Congress president who is (was) Vijai’s closest friend, confidant and political protégé. She was expected to be one of his star campaigners, a payback for the extent that Sardesai went to in order to get her elected as Youth Congress president, spoiling in his wake his relationship with the Alemaos, built over the years. Sardesai was the architect and Pratima the face of the fight against family raaj and dynastic politics that kept Valanka Alemao out of the youth Congress race.
Now, a strong lobby led by the Alemaos and undoubtedly supported by Sardesai’s long time rivals like Girish Chodankar have played supporting roles, pulled the right strings to convince Rahul Gandhi to give 2 tickets to members of the youth congress. The decision is correct but the motive is not. Rahul Gandhi will hardly be in a position to know the murky dynamics of Fatorda politics. All he must have wanted was 2 seats. The manipulation happened at the state level and the ambitious Pratima Coutinho became a gleeful and willing pawn. Pratima Coutinho calls her self an “iron lady”. Let no one be fooled by this. Her act was helped more by a flexible backbone and non-existent principles, not mettle or metal, be it iron or steel.
In selecting Pratima and backstabbing Vijai who has been working in the constituency for many years, the Congress has caused more damage to itself than Vijai. It has exposed itself as a party that cannot be trusted, it has exposed itself as a party which has double standards, it has exposed itself as a party where everyone including its Chief Minister plays games. Even the most dyed in the wool politician has been shocked at the Fatorda betrayal. With Vijai Sardesai hell bent on contesting, this might lead to grand split of votes and hand over the seat back to the BJP. The fact that neither Subhash Shirodkar nor Chief Minister Kamat chose to attempt to tell Rahul Gandhi what this would do to the Fatorda elections can mean either of these two- they were co conspirators or they are too weak to prevent wrong doings against their own partymen.
Pratima Coutinho can also read what Brutus said after Caesar was murdered . “Not that I lov’d Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” It’s just that no one will believe her if she says she did this because she loved Goa more.
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people’s edit
An appeal to Goa’s children
Orlando S A da Silva
Recently our government celebrated the golden jubilee of our liberation from the 450 years of Portuguese rule. Our forefathers at that time of liberation definitely dreamt of a bright and prosperous Goa for their children and its future generations under democratic governments to be elected by our own people. On the golden jubilee eve, the Goan Observer our local weekly published views of its readers on the subject “Are we better off that Goa is liberated?”
Most writers appreciated the brave act of our forefathers in demanding liberation, but denounced and cursed the miserable performance of our subsequent democratically elected governments and highlighted the ills of the misrule of the 50 years vis-a-vis the 450 years of so called autocratic rule of the alien Portuguese. After reading all the views on the issue, I am convinced that majority of Goans like me, are today disgusted with our present day political leadership and strongly feel that what the Portuguese saved and left for us in their 450 years rule, our present day rulers by their acts of selfishness and greed, destroyed all of it within 50 years without caring an iota for our posterity and our future generations.
You can impress upon your parents and your family the need to cast their vote judiciously without fear or favour and elect a representative who has a vision for Goa’s future. It is only you who can change their mindset and urge them to elect a Government that will bring a change for the good of Goa in future.
In the last three decades adults have behaved irresponsibly, electing the same people who are responsible for most of the ills in Goa. My parents who experienced the Portuguese rule tried to imbibe in us the same discipline and respect for law, to make us what we are today “simple God fearing good human beings”. We were always reminded that during the Portuguese era, administration of law and justice was prompt and speedy and therefore crimes were few. We were always advised not to commit any crimes. But today, our politicians immediately intervene with the police and judiciary to free criminals for their vote banks.
Our politicians misguide our youth and encourage them to commit crimes for their selfish greed. As a result in Goa today only criminals flourish and there is absolute decay of moral values amidst absolute failure of law & order. Every MLA is involved in massive corruption and other crimes. Our present day politicians have made your parents by offering them money during elections. A day will come you and your future generation will have money but no land to grow and no land to live. Tell your parents that if they love you and are really interested in your future they must vote for a change. This is their last opportunity to save Goa for you.
