Those in that lane were Aleixo Sequeira, Babu Azgaonkar, Subhash Phaldesai, Filipe Neri and Vijai Sardesai, members of the old boys club of the Congress, barring Vijay, who in spirit has never quite left the party.
Two of the ‘boys’ had just been suspended, by a man who will never quite be invited to this club- the PCC president John Fernandes. One was Phaldesai and other Aleixo Sequeira, their letters signed by a ‘leader’ whom they would call a ‘chit of a girl’, one Pratima Coutinho, holding the grand position of General Secretary of the party. No one blames her for being there and enjoying her moment under the sun, but the telling image in that Malbhat lane was that of the sinking sun. The old boys club may still gave it them, to turn the party on its head, but it doesn’t have the belief and the will to do this, at least not in the company of the present PCC chief.
But there is a bigger narrative to the story than that of a group of old boys in a fast disappearing party. The narrative is that the Congress needs to revive itself not for the sake of its own but for the larger sake of Goa. Even as John Fernandes, is on a reckless spree taking so called disciplinary action against Congressmen by recommending the dismissal and suspension of leaders like Sardinha, his actions have reduced the chances of the party being united, to begin collective action as an opposition to the BJP.
The absence of an opposition in Goa is hurting not the Congress but Goa. The unchecked and unbridled power of majority has made decision making raw and one sided. It is important to flag another important thought here. While the romantic belief is that a new regional force (it could even be elements of the Aam Admi party in a new upgraded local version) will rise and fill the void of opposition, reality does bite. Currently, a new political awakening in the form of new foot soldiers to fight for Goa who will rise at dawn and ride into the sunset once the deed is done, is as real as a GDP growth of 25%. There will be no charge of the light brigade and hence as the harsh realities of Goas political situation sinks in, it is the Congress that has to hold the opposition baby.
Once that cobweb is cleared, it will be easier to move on. So what can be the plan? Firstly, the current policy of “off with your heads” of John Fernandes, may work in his wonderland, but not in the hinterland of Salcete and Sattari. So wielding the axe has to stop and introspection has to begin. Even now it’s not too late to form a committee to chalk out key areas that need attention with senior old timers given specific tasks and areas of operation. Meanwhile, the younger lot of Congress members who retain their freshness and energy can be used as legs of the party to undertake protest movements, press conferences and as investigators and watchers tracking government and its promises. And like in England, the Congress can well have a shadow cabinet even if the strength of its MLA’s doesn’t add up to Parrikar’s cabinet ministers.
Above all John Fernandes needs to be sacked as GPCC president before this weekend is over and a bit of the old Congress, which strangely seems to have found a toehold into the emotional space of Goa, thanks to the Parrikar governments functioning, should be given the keys of the old fortress.
Thankfully, it seems to be heading that way and some names which were consigned to the shelves of the past- Luizinho, Digambar, Rane and Babu Azgaonkar seem to be dusting themselves for just that one more shot.
