Defection by eight Congress MLAs to the Bharatiya Janata Party on September 14 has once again led to the revival of the debate on the virtues, the cons, the legitimacy, the characteristics of a healthy democracy, the anti-defection law, etc.
In common memory, as the narrative has built up, it’s relatively a new phenomenon that began in the late 1990s with MLAs from Goa Legislative Assembly switching sides to topple the government of the day and one amongst the defectors – ‘traitors’ – wanting to ascend the throne.
However, a deeper research and understanding of Goa’s political scenario will inform that power politics, and the urge and necessity to bring down a present government to occupy the chair of the Chief Minister, is old school politics even for Goans. With just two years into Liberation and the formation of the Union Territory, splinters group formed against the first chief minister of the State, Dayanand ‘Bhausaheb’ Bandodkar.
Nevertheless, a further deep dive into history will expose the nature of human being’s quest for supremacy and one will have to acknowledge that the phenomenon (which can be attributed as a problem) of defections or parting ways from the leader of the day to take the road less travelled, has been explored ever since humanity has existed.
A glance at the religious texts and scriptures, or books on history of religious groups, communities, dynasties, empires, etc, will shed light on the universal truth that in every era, in every part of the world, has had its encounter with defection.
While, it is definitely debatable whether defections are based on selfish motives or larger interest of the society, it is a fact that defections are always the offshoots of deceptions.
As Kahlil Gibran has said, “Many a doctrine is like a window pane. We see truth through it but it divides us from truth.”
Today Goans, wherever they are, whichever party they support or belong to, should know that however much the eight defectors may try to convince otherwise, all these MLAs have deceived their electorate. Nevertheless, the defection has found support from the ruling dispensation claiming ‘it will strengthen the progress of the State under their party’s leadership’.
Digambar Kamat has profoundly dedicated his decision to the will of God and others have claimed that their move is based on the need to ensure the development of their respective constituencies. However, the electorate needs to introspect what has been their role in ensuring that they become the subjects and the MLA becomes a ring master, and comes back to pat them and feed them with some goodies election after election.
In the run-up to the February 2022 elections, Goans were divided on having to choose between the devil and a lesser devil. A defector was downsizing the other defector (the opponent in the same constituency) who had changed sides because his/her just-divorced party had not approved his/her candidature. Each one of them promised development and progress of the Constituency and the State.
While, in yester centuries none would have had the opportunity to question and seek a response from their ruler, emperor or a general who led a coup. But, in a democracy, every individual has the right to question and seek answers from their representatives.
Hence, it’s of paramount importance that irrespective of the political spectrum that one may belong to, the citizens question their representative. The citizen cannot be compartmentalised into a binary of supporter or opposition. Once elected, the MLA is a representative of all the constituents and as such is answerable to everyone.
The universal truth is that elections are just a stepping stone for democracy to function and the right to question is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
