The Goa Congress desperately needs somebody to drive home the point to them that if it wants to position itself in any manner as an opposition party which can claim the space created by obvious anti-incumbency which has set in, it has to have the courage to, at the very least, field 95 percent fresh faces.
The Congress, in its ostrich like wisdom, still feels that if it can get the mix right and have some clever alliances, the deed will be done. And that is something that emerged from a press conference addressed by Vishwajit Rane (Valpoi MLA) and Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco (Curtorim MLA). Junior Rane, appeared to state something very significant when he indicated, without actually saying so, that only one member of his family will contest the elections. This may be seen as a positive breakthrough in the Congress’ perennial battle against family raj but yet again the mother of all issues, which can solve the father of all problems, has not been tackled head on – fresh faces. In one stroke, the Congress could have solved the issue of family raj and all the baggage that is associated with tried, tested and failed leadership by cutting through the clutter and saying that it will field 35 new faces out of 40, if they go it all alone. Instead it is taking a calculated risk that some of its old timers, including those who are not MLAs now, will win seats on the basis of past popularity. As far as the Ranes of Sattari are concerned this could be true, but not elsewhere. But can one imagine if the Congress puts its brave foot forward and makes the 95 percent announcement, the trigger effect it could have on so many seats?
Now coming to the issue of family raj, one must look at the statements of all its leaders extremely closely and hold the Congress leaders to account. Leaders like Vishwajit Rane must ensure that they don’t outsource family raj, by one member contesting on the Congress ticket and other family members contesting as independent, thereby technically taking them out of the “family raj” radar.
Look at Babush Monserrate for instance. Technically out of the Congress and “unattached”, he is very, very attached to the party which has thrown him out. Monserrate is negotiating with the Congress to allow him to contest the Panjim seat as an “independent” and give tickets to his wife Jennifer from Taleigao and his son from St Cruz. So essentially three members of the Monserrate family are looking to contest with two on a Congress ticket and the head of the family contesting as an independent. In addition Monserrate is hoping that Vijai Pai Khot from Canacona, will join his bandwagon and so will Francis Silveira in St Andre even though the latter happens to be with the Congress. If you look at these names, you will realize they have been very much a part of the political mix for years and are coming back into various equations in the run up to the elections.
The first thing that the GPCC needs is absolute transparency and clarity or else they will lose this battle even before it has begun. It cannot use some local satraps to dictate terms to the party and field either their relatives or their handpicked candidates through cleverly placing some within the party and some outside. Notwithstanding its efforts made to revive the grassroots organisation, the Goa Congress is still way too short of getting the people’s confidence. This isn’t about whether it should have an alliance or not. It is about exuding confidence that it is in charge and it is capable of going to the people with fresh faces.
