WWith time really running out for the Congress before finalizing its candidates, there appears to be fair degree of confusion over the selection template of its candidates. And this has been further compounded by the party treating MLAs who have actively colluded with the BJP, like Babush Monserrate and Pandurang Madkaikar, with kid gloves.
But in Monserrate’s case, the Congress’ attitude is baffling. Here is an MLA it expelled from the party for supporting the BJP candidate in the Panjim by-elections. A GPCC resolution was taken “for taking stern disciplinary action against all party leaders who have worked against the party and are committing acts of indiscipline”. This resolution was endorsed by the AICC President Sonia Gandhi. The resolution, as Herald reported, listed Monserrate’s anti-party activities; his call to the public to defeat the Congress candidate on December 22 and 23, his open support to the BJP candidate, his threat on January 22 to AICC general secretary in-charge of Goa, A Chellakumar, that he would work against Surendra Furtado, the Congress candidate, and his threat on November 6 and 7 to resign from Congress and contest as an independent.
At the very least, the party owes an explanation to the people of Goa, as to why its AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, in utter disregard to the GPCC resolution passed against him, endorsed by his national president, is actually treating Monserrate as a “Special VIP MLA”.
The party has also conceded a lot of ground, when its own General Secretary says that Monserrate’s wife, the Taleigao MLA would decide on whether she would contest on a Congress ticket, based on what her husband tells her. This amplifies the crisis within the party, that it has absolutely no control over its MLAs.
Meanwhile MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, has not once but on more than five occasions, in interviews to papers, spoken against the party and said that he was considering options from both the MGP and the BJP. He too is being treated with kid gloves, and given the opportunity to take time and decide. These actions have the capacity to demoralize the rank and file of the party.
The loyal party worker (a term used very loosely by many) begins to wonder if there is indeed a premium on loyalty or a premium on political convenience, within the party. And even they know that political convenience rules.
The Congress finds itself in a situation where it does not quite have suitable candidates to take on the BJP in places where Madkaikar and Monserrate will contest. While its handling of Madkaikar can still be understood at a level, its waiting for Monserrate, an MLA sacked from the party is a big comedown. And to make it worse, it can’t even decide to give the party ticket to Jennifer Monserrate in Taleigao because her all powerful husband will decide her fate, and not the Goa Congress.
On the larger issue of candidates for 2017, AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh is preparing ground for the return of old figures, and against the popular sentiment, which is fielding young fresh faces. The least he should do is to take the GPCC into strict confidence so that Congress candidates are handpicked in a manner many of its loyal supporters want.
But above all, the party should value and reward loyalty rather than waiting for the openly disloyal.
