Will history repeat itself?
Is public memory so short, that it has forgotten what happened after the last elections? Did not a Trojan Horse in the Congress lead several elected members into the folds of an anti-secular party? It is a foregone conclusion that no political party, will garner a majority to form the government on March 10. So necessarily there will have to be a coalition government.
What if history repeats itself and another promiscuous Trojan Horse and his equally promiscuous bosom cronies sell themselves and join the same communal party? Can this be prevented? And, if so, how? The logical full-proof, answer is: an alliance of like-minded parties before the poll results, and not after the poll results. This will ensure that this time, there will not be any political promiscuity.
However, there is a big hurdle! It is the huge over-inflated political ego of the respective political bosses, who want to capitalise on the seats they win, to bargain and demand key-political portfolios.
The Congress policy of inviting like-minded political parties to join them after the poll results are declared, is not only disastrous, but laughable. Wishful thinking! What is the use of closing the stable door after the Trojan Horse and his bosom cronies have bolted?
I call upon my fellow Goans to sensitise and pressurize the political bosses through a blitzkrieg in social media, in the form of videos etc to have a broad understanding. The Goan public has a vital and crucial stake in Goa’s political future, and hence has to play a lead role. Or else, the Goan cultural identity will be wiped out on the pretext of development!
Napoleon Bonaparte’s’ famous saying “The word impossible is not in my dictionary” comes to my mind. Let us take a cue from this famous saying!
Irineu Gonsalves, Verna
Elections results and the next Govt
Within the next three days, on March 10, the results of the Valentine’s day elections will be declared and it will be known whether we the Goans have voted for the clean, honest and uncorrupt new faces or the same old corrupt candidates for the love money which they have distributed abundantly. Goans we must not forget we will reap what we sow. Then there will be no point crying and blaming the same persons who fought elections not for the love of Goa and Goans but for the love of their self motives as usual.
Secondly after the declaration of the assembly election results, defection of elected MLAs cannot be ruled out in spite of visits to churches, temples and mosques. If that happens our two well known two priests has already advised us Goans what is to be done next. So let’s hope that we Goans have elected sincere and honest person so as to have a honest and transparent government to govern Goa. Let’s hope for the best on March 10, 2022. Till then let’s keep our fingers crossed hoping for the best.
Natividade Fernandes, Cavelossim
Russia-Ukraine conflict and war
Strong states invariably attack smaller ones, and often those who are not a part of it are caught in the crossfire. Similarly, when Russia attacked Ukraine, a number of medical students from across the world got stuck there.
All said and done, we can conclude that the Russia-Ukraine conflict occurred due to the inefficient leadership of USA. Let’s pray that the war ends soon and issues are solved through diplomatic talks. The students who have been stuck in Ukraine should also be brought back home safely.
The Ukrainian people are fighting back against Vladimir Putin’s cruelty with patriotic courage that will define their nation for years to come. May God bless the people of Ukraine.
Jubel D’Cruz, Mumbai
International Women’s Day
Women’s day is celebrated every year on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about women’s equality, women’s entrepreneurs and every single girl’s right of education. It has been observed since early 1990s.
The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. The campaign theme for International Woman’s s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias. In today’s time also women are behind the four walls and not allowed to work outside freely. So we need to break these stereotypes and make it free for all women to work freely without any bias and burden of family.
In Indian culture woman’s honour has been given great importance. Women are achieving great respect and success in every field whether it’s business, sports, health works and many more. We have to create a better gender-neutral society and appreciate their courage to cross all the hurdles and make such tremendous improvement in all most all the spheres of life.
Somya Agrawal, Ujjain
Post elections, no defections: A blatant lie
Anti-defection law is turned redundant with two-thirds defection and now emboldened with court order. No democracy in the world such defections and poaching exists. The habitual defectors are planning their strategy. Voters then can do nothing. The idea of sit-in at their residence is no deterrent, neither oaths and sworn affidavits; change parties and individuals every time.
Boycott may be a better alternative. Serve no invitations or to preside, inaugurate, raise toasts. Do not visit them for any personal favours. The hopeful visits with presents are useless efforts. Nothing more than frequent inquiries keeps you in their bondage.
Simple legislation of maximum two terms; ban defectors for two terms, and from holding any office of profit. Independents contesting elections be stopped, if two party system does not materialise. Voters ditched for their loyalty need facility of recall. Emoluments, freebies be decided by a commission and pensions should be discontinued.
Legislators resigning and seeking re-election must pay for the costs. Voters rights must be safeguarded and not emphasise on duty to vote. Who will legislate without ambiguity to stop the mockery of democracy and are voters re-electing defectors over and over not guilty? Parties defy EC by giving tickets to accused or convicted criminals.
Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim
The home stretch, a splintered mandate
With vote counting day drawing near political parties have hit the ground running to strategise on either forming the government or be an integral part of the next dispensation, independents are licking their chops hoping to be kingmakers, of course in exchange for power and pelf.
All indicators are pointing towards a splintered mandate, therefore parties are exploring all options and crucial parleys are in progress to form the next sarkar. Back channel mediations are on and all outfits are trying to hold their flock together to avoid mass defections as witnessed during the last assembly polls. Every party is claiming a thumping victory but these are only mind games to keep their candidates morale high. Head honchos of national parties have started winging their way to Goa with fond hopes, there are already talks of ‘mergers and acquisitions’ to use a business term; the recent High Court judgement has unfortunately set a precedent for ‘legitimate’ horse trading. Hopefully Goa shall be rid of the saffron stain this time around and we shall have a government which actually is people centric, pro environment, has an inclusive agenda and whose heart beats for Goans and Goans alone. May the best team win.
Rekha Sarin, Benaulim
