Exit polls predict diverse tallies
The exit polls have released their findings. Some of them could be closer to the actual tally. The exit polls is a projection of the voting pattern in various constituencies based on a sampling of voters. However, the exit polls may not be representative and thus the errors of up to 10% may be expected. It may be stressed here, that though by and large there has been clear cut disenchantment with the incumbent dispensation, still the stark fact remains that the opposition has split their votes in a five pronged manner, having fragmented what could have been an united opposition.
In view of the splitting of votes, the major beneficiary is the BJP and thus the actual constituency wise outcome could be a close than previously perceived by the parties. BJP could even spring surprises in traditionally Congress strongholds because of the splitting of votes. Under this circumstances counting of EVMs as well as rounding up after the postal ballots counting will only reveal the actual tally.
Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
Government recruitment
Examinations to various posts in the Government were held. Candidates were selected directly without any interview as is the norm in all recruitment. Moreover, nowhere in the advertisements for these posts was it stated that the topper in the examination would be directly selected without any interview. Those candidates in the top seven or ten could have been called for an interview. It is strange that even those possessing the requisite qualifications and experience have not made it to the merit list.
It was Manohar Parrikar who had the audacity to say that government jobs would not necessarily be given to party workers but to those with proper qualifications on the basis of merit. It was this quality of his that endeared him to all. It is also for this reason that people stood behind the BJP.
It would be appropriate to give government jobs to those party workers who have put in fifteen years of free service. Besides they should also possess the proper qualifications and experience for the job. If such candidates are not found the jobs should then be given out on the basis of merit.
Vinay Rodrigues, Margao
Leaders could solve war crisis with talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy is timely. The conflict between the two warring neighbours has claimed hundreds of lives on both sides and showed no signs of easing. Officials of the two countries held the third round of talks on the conflict at the Belarus-Poland border on Monday night without making much headway. The two leaders would do well to put their differences aside and talk to each other to resolve the conflict that threatens the world economy.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Waste collection in villages
It has been years since the ‘Swachh Bharat’ initiative was started. The people residing in the municipal area approach no problem because of the well-planned garbage door to door collection. It has reduced the waste in the environment to quite an extend. However, this initiative is hardly seen in villages where people prefer discarding the waste in their backyard which is burnt further releasing toxins which are toxic to both humans and environment.
This scenario is very much common in rural villages of Goa where people hardly have access to any waste bins, some individual are not even aware about the segregation of waste. The panchayat hardly makes an initiative to introduce waste disposal facility to the villagers.
I appeal to the concerned authority to initiate immediate measures and approach this problem at the earliest. The panchayat also need to organise an awareness drive in the village to educate the village community about the same.
Lisa Fernandes, Quepem
Tourists, taxi operators causing traffic jams
With respect to the news report “Tourists, taxi operators clash in Morjim over parking issue” (Herald March 8, 2022).
Drunk tourists from Delhi are on a visit to Goa. They are driving their four wheelers with “their friends” whom they want to impress.
To achieve this goal of impressing their friends they treat the roads of Goa as their personal fiefdoms. When our people raise objections, tourists from Delhi start throwing their weight around saying that they are from this department and that department and so on.
In the ensuing melee traffic jam happens. Bystanders start shooting the shenanigans on their smartphones. Swear words are royally exchanged invoking mothers and sisters of families. Sometimes dhishoom dhishoom also takes place so that “friends” are convinced of the macho capabilities of those with whom they have travelled all the way to Goa from Delhi.
By the time police reaches the spot, people have forgotten what the excitement is all about. Everything is resolved. Everybody is smiling and hugging each other. Traffic jam has cleared. Amateur videographers have moved on. Drunk tourists are back. Normalcy has returned. Life goes on. Welcome to Goa. Viva Goa.
Gafaar Shaqoor, Margao
Kudos to Herald for ‘poll bullring’
This has reference to ‘Voices from the poll bullring’ (Herald, March 8). As Goa waits with bated breath for the Election results on March 10, kudos to the Herald for continuing its quest for good governance. It has managed to get as many candidates from all constituencies to have their last say before the ballot boxes open to speak on March 10. All the candidates seem confident of winning their seats.
In the meanwhile, the picture entitled, ‘My Vote, My Right’ showing a senior citizen on a wheel chair, casting his vote caught my attention; quite an appropriate picture. One only hopes however, the winning candidates do not betray the trust this senior citizen, as also thousands of other voters, have placed in them. Will the candidates stick to their promise of not defecting, after the results are announced remains to be seen. Will they won’t they?
Melville X D’Souza, Mumbai
Voters should not tolerate defections
The results of the elections in Goa will be known on March 10. The victorious candidates will celebrate their victory in their respective constituencies. The results will also show whether any party secured a clear majority or not. Whatever may be the situation, the candidates should bear in mind one fact that this time the people will not tolerate any move on their part to defect to another party. We had enough of it already which not only made mockery of our choice and decision but also brought a bad name to Goa.
If any party and its MLAs have to sit in the opposition for want of majority, so be it. In a democracy, the opposition has also an important role to play. It should be a watchdog and take the government to task when it does wrong. Further, the days of walkouts are over.
Walkouts have no meaning today when insensitive governments are in power. A walkout is nothing but a walkover for the government on important issues. So please function as an effective watchdog and a vibrant and responsible opposition.
Lastly, the party which forms the government should remember that it is the government of entire Goa and its development programmes should be implemented in all the constituencies when it collects taxes from the people of the whole of Goa.
Rodney de Souza, Assagao
