It probably does not surprise us anymore that Goa continues to break new ground, in electoral, constitutional and legislative history by happenings that are unique to the imagination of our forefathers who have framed how our democracy should function.
The events that have unfolded over the nomination of the now Congress, Joseph Silva reflect as much on how the Representation of People’s Act, needs to be more complete in a political climate which is so complex and manipulative as Goa now is, as much on the total collapse of inner party coordination of the Congress. The role of Digvijay Singh, who in all likelihood, misled the party (including his other AICC colleagues) into conveying that the party had officially decided not to contest in Fatorda, was the catalyst to the drama and confusion which unfolded.
Significantly as the AICC desk in-charge, Digvijay Singh’s decision officially outlines the policy of the party, on all Goa issues, which need to be implemented. When he announced with a fair degree of firmness that the Congress would not contest in Fatorda, (as in ally with Goa Forward) a section of the AICC and the GPCC assumed that this was the final call. Goa Forward therefore decided not to field a candidate from Navelim where GPCC president Luzinho Faleiro is contesting, as conciliatory and reciprocal political gesture.
However, inside Congress sources confirm that the AICC desk in-charge Digvijay Singh didn’t quite toe the line of the Congress’ senior most leadership of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi and that his decision to give away the Fatorda seat to Goa Forward, was outside of the mandate of the party. Sardesai obviously went with Singh’s assurance. Sensing the AICC desk in charge’s decision may not be keeping with the party line GPCC resident Luizinho Faleiro covered Silva by issuing the B form of the party, who then took further cover by getting a B form, from the Goa Vikas Party.
The Goa Congress’ growing suspicion of the decision of their desk in-charge Digvijay Singh is totally justifiable, because with less than 24 hours left for the last date for nominations, he called a press conference to announce the final decision regarding seat adjustments with parties and individuals and ended up saying “there will be adjustments” and did not even reveal the details.
Therefore, while, the final act of Silva filing two nominations from two parties and that too from the same constituency is something unheard of in the annals of electoral history anywhere in the country, it stems from the acute trust deficit that the Goa Congress has of the AICC desk in charge Digvijay Singh. The GPCC does not trust DIgvijay Singh. Period.
What this has also resulted in, is that the Congress it self is being accused of betrayal of potential partners, since the desk In charge Digvijay Singh’s word- and technically rightly so – is seen as the final decision of the Congress High command.
Meanwhile it will be impossible for the Congress to withdraw Joseph Silva from the race, if he himself does not agree to. With the backing of the Fatorda block congress, the so called high command’s (read Digvijay Singh’s) decision will be defied. While, fingers are being pointed at GPCC president by the anti Luizinho Faleiro camp, the culprit here is the troika of Digvijay Singh, ex- Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and ably assisted by veteran party man, Pratapsingh Rane, for going against the local party sentiment of contesting the elections alone without any alliance.
Let us not forget, even the decision to give Panjim to Babush Monseratte and yes- leave Siolim for Goa Forward, and back Rohan Khaunte as an independent from Porvorim who backed the Parrikar government and then was the mentor of Goa Forward, has not been appreciated by many in the Goa Congress.
With Digvijay Singh landed in Goa, yet again before the last date for withdrawals, will we see yet another twist in the tale of this sordid drama. But one thing is for sure, Digvijay Singh, is not getting support from the rank and file of the Goa Congress, in any further attempt to make the already muddy waters even murkier.
