The suspicion around the switch was there pre-election too and the questions related to defection were raised. All the eight MLAs and other candidates that time had taken oath in front of deities at Panjim’s Mahalakshmi Temple, Bambolim Cross and a dargah at Betim that they will never deceit the Congress for any other party.
They had promised to stay loyal with the Congress for the next five years. Why were they given this oath? Because voters had lost confidence in Congress’ candidates thanks to déjà vu of sorts in 2019. Giving oath to these MLAs at religious sites was an attempt to regain some of that confidence. The MLAs too, on various occasions had stated that they will stay loyal to the party. The notable thing is Digambar Kamat, the one who had given oath to all the MLAs, is the one at front to leave the Congress party for the BJP. It was obvious that he would have been buried with questions. His answer when the media reminded him of his oath and promise is beyond understanding. People have already started trolling him on social media for saying that he had a word with God. “God told me that he will back me in whatever decision I take,” Kamat said. How is one supposed to believe this? It must be quite a miracle to know a living man who has the ability to converse with God. If anything, this is a blatant superstitious remark made in the 21st Century. There are many people who claim to be able to speak with the God whom people fall for. They are people’s criminals and Kamat’s statement falls under no different category than this. Regardless of the intensity with which Kamat showed his religious views, that is his personal matter.
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The people appointed on constitutional posts cannot make such statements in public. Kamat has been the former chief minister of Goa, the highest post one can attain in a State. He should be aware of the government’s ‘secularism’.
Government is free of any religion which is why no religious festivals are celebrated in government offices. Government offices are also not allowed to hang pictures of any religious deities. Certain leaders are hell bent on changing the very core of this nation. When she was chief minister, Shashikala Kakodkar had performed religious rituals in Sringeri Matha in order to save her falling government. She had received widespread media and public attention for this. Which means that the narrative that a person on such an important post should not do something like this existed back then and it is indeed true. The backlash was so strong that Kakodkar had to deny such an incident ever taking place.
So in hindsight, Kakodkar too knew about not participating in religious events publicly. The times have changed and leaders are expressing their religious views publicly now more than ever. No matter how much Kamat stresses on receiving an order from ‘the God’, he cannot distract people enough from the fact that he defected. He has cheated the people who voted for him and this is applicable to the seven other MLAs as well. Although the High Court has validated the defection (merger, according to them) of previous 10 MLAs, the Supreme Court is yet to confirm it. Because even though merger is allowed as per the anti-defection law, it is not mentioned clearly as to what is identified as merger. The political leaders are taking disadvantage of the loopholes in the law as no sane person can term it as a merger. This is a clear case of defection caused by 2/3 rd members from the party.
The notice published by the Assembly Speaker mentions that he was informed by 8 MLAs about the merger and he is publishing the same for the knowledge of members of the Assembly. The notice too, does not clearly mention anything about as to whom exactly was the ‘merger’ informed. Which means it did not really take place. Eight MLAs switched to the BJP and that is a fact. The term merger is used only to run away from legal consequences. Hence, it is crucial for the Supreme Court to make a comment on the issue. Another deceitful statement made by these 8 MLAs is that they joined BJP for a better development of the State. How is one supposed to trust this? The political leaders are out to erase the concept of the opposition party, something that is the heart of democracy and is totally against the Constitution.
