The entire system of local self government in Goa has been totally compromised by politicians across party lines. As we had predicted earlier, the panchayats have become political playgrounds and a venue to flex political muscle.
The aftermath of the panchayat elections has been bitter. Stringent rivalries have surfaced as local MLAs and other heavyweights have tried to ensure that their panchayats are under their direct political control.This ugly political domination reached its peak at the Old Goa Panchayat, when the Power Minister Pandurang
Madkaikar, got down to ensure control over the panchayat, moving a farce of a no-confidence motion against the Sarpanch within 24 hours of his election. Mr Madkaikar stormed into the office of the presiding officer and accused him of handing the wrong ballot paper to one of the members, leading to the confusion in the number of votes. When the presiding officer did not relent, Madkaikar swiftly moved to topple the sarpanch after Director of Panchayats ruled in favour of the presiding officer.
These kind of no-confidence motions go against the spirit of the Panchayati Raj Act. Mr Madkaikar does need to answer on what basis could he, or his panchas, express no-confidence in the functioning of a sarpanch within 24 hours of him taking over. What decision or the lack of it, on the part of the sarpanch, could have prompted such a move when the newly elected panchayat body hadn’t even met once? Moreover the sarpanch had not committed any gross impropriety like misappropriation of funds or indulged in any criminal act. Therefore, a no-confidence motion cannot be taken as a tool to topple elected sarpanchas.
Many states across the country have provisions to check such rampant political misuse. The Kerala Panchayat Act for instance is clear. “It states no notice of a motion under this section shall be accepted within six months of the assumption of office by a President (Sarpanch) or a Vice-President (Deputy Sarpanch).”
The central act has an interesting provision. It states “In the initial two years of their term as Pradhan and Up-Pradhan of a Gram Panchayat on such motion of no- confidence moved against them, if the motion of no- confidence is once rejected, no fresh motion of no confidence shall be brought before the Gram Panchayat within a period of one year from the date of such rejection of the motion.”
It’s clear therefore that checks and balances have been sought to be incorporated both by states and the centre. The Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho’s remark that he may look at amending the state Panchayati Raj Act to ensure a tenure of at least one year for sarpanchas, is a step in the right direction.
Meanwhile, in the Volvoi panchayat, another drama has unfolded. The only woman in the fray and front-runner for sarpanch, seemed to have only disqualification. She was backed by the MGP. One would think this would politically be fine, since MGP is in the government. But some battles continue at the grassroots. And when politics is laced with gender discrimination, it’s a messy cocktail. All the male panchas of Volvoi refused to back a lady sarpanch backed by the MGP much to the chagrin of MGP boss Sudin Dhavalikar, who now wants to raise this issue with Chief Minister Parrikar.
Another trend that has been noticed is the race to “claim” the panchayat after the elections. Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao paraded sarpanchas and Deputy Sarpanchas of Benaulim, Seraulim and Orlim before the media and claimed that those of Cavelossim and Colva were also in his political pocket. And in Cuncolim, MLA Clafacio Dias claimed that he had made a “clean sweep” of all the panchayats.
Thus, the absence of party symbols in the panchayat elections is like a mere fig leaf to hide the naked politics in these polls. Local self government is only a lip service. The future of panchayats in Goa will be peppered with politics and only politics. Progress and development in the villages will, tragically, be hostage to this.
