As Assembly elections approach, the fears and apprehensions in the minds of Goans, genuinely concerned about Goa, its future and that of coming generations, keep mounting. The political scenario is extremely confusing and will surely get hazier by the day, with a frightful unpredictable outcome, which may shatter the hopes and aspirations of the bulk of the people, who are otherwise ostensibly unanimous in their desire and determination to dislodge the present dispensation. This consensus is stronger today than in 2017 and perhaps somewhat similar to the anti-Congress wave in 2012. However, having witnessed how the people’s mandate was overturned in the last elections, people are apprehensive of an encore and hence are disillusioned that the much desired unity of opposition forces is eluding us and very unlikely to happen.
Surely, there are reasons in abundance, which can only briefly be enumerated, as to why people want and need a change, lest, without it, Goa gets totally devastated in another five years of such despicable governance.
In 2012, the people had given BJP a decisive mandate, with Manohar Parrikar at the helm of affairs, after decimating the Congress for its poor and detestable governance. But if by 2017 people had realised that the local Govt was only following the dictates of their masters at the Centre, with grave detriment to Goa, this has now been not only confirmed but firmly asserted by the brazen arrogance and actions of the present incumbent. It is not that the CM is unaware of people’s concern and unhappiness, particularly over issues affecting Goa and Goans, like transportation of coal, nationalisation of rivers, three linear projects, etc, and he may even agree with the people. However, he has his compulsions and needs to do the Centre’s bidding if he wants to remain in the saddle. The CM needs to place before the people, his achievements, if any, and the reasons why he feels entitled to seek another term in office. Perhaps, the only feat he has accomplished, during his tenure, is to set the Goa Police force against their compatriots, the peaceful protesters in Melauli, near his residence, at Azad Maidan and elsewhere. Police even resorted to lathi-charge, sans orders from the Magistrate. Such actions, possibly under orders from the Home Minister, when he ought to have been more benevolent at least because there is nothing his Government can boast of and the dissatisfaction and frustration among the people with the state of affairs is only too evident to be ignored by those who have eyes to see.
The oxygen fracas, which killed hundreds, families of whom can never forgive nor forget the Government’s irresponsible behaviour; the usurpations of lands by Railways with active connivance of local Govt; the undesirable casino promotion and patronage, for obvious reasons, despite its adverse effects; the large scale acquisition of our limited lands for unnecessary expansion of roadways for coal transportation; the open or badly covered coal transportation by rail and road; the diversion of Madhei River waters, where this Govt buckled under pressure from the Centre, and which is likely to cause acute water problems in the State; the nationalisation of our rivers, which will severely affect marine life and livelihood of fishermen; the highly precarious job situation, which has forced an unfortunate exodus of Goan youth, in search of employment avenues abroad; the hasty construction and opening of new Atal Sethu bridge, one arm of which is now closed for repairs for months; the traffic jams faced by people every day between Cortalim and Siridao, which could have been avoided, had it not been to accommodate the builder of Zuari bridge; the pathetic condition of some of Goa roads, including National Highways; the hike in prices of essential commodities, including on gas, petrol and diesel, the last now reduced, as elections approach; the lamentable law and order situation, with murders and rapes becoming common occurrence; the deprivation or irregularity in disbursement of monthly doles to widows and poor elderly people, while Ministers and MLAs get their salaries on time; the cutting of trees and hills and filling of water bodies, with severe damage to the environment. To add to these, is the infamous structure at Old Goa, with fraudulent permissions obtained to favour someone.
If we, Goans, were really sincere in saving what is left of our beloved land, we would have strived hard to achieve it, at any cost, by coming together. But, unity is not in our DNA. And our egos, prejudices, self-interest, etc, do not permit us to keep Goa above them.
The monkey dance we have been witnessing these days, with people jumping from one Party is nothing new to us. It had brought instability and given Goa a bad name, in the past. But what the jumping jacks choose to ignore, is that it reflects on their character, which perhaps they are not worried about, as it was always in doubt.
Even after the political parties have their candidates in place, several rebels are sure to contest. Manipulations, horse-trading and poaching are bound to happen, as no Party is likely to get a majority. It may not be a period of instability, as the ruling Party has an advantage and is an expert in engineering defections.
It is bound to be a difficult election for Goans and we may have to bear another five years of sitting and shouting on the roads and receiving lathis or perhaps even bullets, and going to Courts, possibly without much success.
(The author is a retired banker)
