The only time when power is truly in the hands of the people is when one casts his or her precious vote. The rest of the time, all the power rests with the Government, which generally goes about, brazenly and often aggressively, with their projects and decisions, giving a damn to people’s voices and interests and even the law, as we have seen from various Court decisions, which have put the Government on the mat.
I cannot recall, and perhaps most people won’t, when was it last that we voted wholeheartedly for a candidate who deserved to be elected. Perhaps, I never did in over 50 years of being a voter. A few of our elders and many of our ancestors had the privilege of having representatives who honoured the positions they occupied and the people they represented. But, unfortunately, those were the days when not all had the right to vote nor the elected had much say in the approval or implementation of all their ideas and demands. The hopes that democracy would bring better days have been dashed, partly due to our own fault in electing the selfish and characterless, who serve their own interests more than people’s. It is unfortunate that competent and upright people do not wish to jump into the muck of politics and the few who, valiantly dare to, are rejected because their chances are bleak and a vote for him/her could brighten the prospects of a most detestable one. This has been and continues to be the predicament of the voter.
We are aware that three political Parties – the NCP, CPI and TMC – which have the tag of “National Party”, have been served a notice by the EC as to why this status should not be withdrawn, as they did not fulfill the criteria of obtaining the minimum of 6% vote share in the last Assembly elections of each of the four States, where they are recognised as State Parties. This exercise of reviewing the status of the Parties was last undertaken in 2014 and is due now in 2024. It is not known why and at whose instance the EC issued this notice midway through the stipulated date. The AAP is recognised as State Party only in Delhi and Punjab.
It is but natural that some of these Parties should try their luck in other States to get recognition or maintain their status, which they could lose any time in the near future. It is surely, not out of love for Goa or Goans, but for their own survival, that some Parties are contesting elections in Goa, not in a few constituencies, like regional Parties generally do, but in all or almost all, so that they can obtain sufficient share of votes. No doubt, they have a right to do so, but let the real reasons be known to the electorate, which often feels that these parties are here to save Goa from the clutches of its destroyers.
The destroyers of Goa have been the National parties like the Congress and the BJP and we do not need any more such or similar parties to complete this unholy task. Goan politicians and regional parties have, shamelessly, been active accomplices in this role, much to the disgust of the local populace, which expected them to protect their land and the people. But let us not absolve ourselves of the part we too played in having them elected, despite their antecedents.
To my mind, Goa can be saved only by sincere, honest and competent Goans, supported by people who love and put Goa above everything else – their own and their friends and financiers’ selfish interests and development and expect nothing in return, except total allegiance, dedication and commitment to Goa. It is only such upright and intrepid individuals, who carry no baggage with them, who can represent us with dignity without fear of ever being exposed. It is not that Goa has dearth of such people. It is we who have made them feel unwanted because we want “our work to be done” at all costs. Goa is badly in need of a regional party consisting of and led by men and women of such mettle that they will never bend or crawl before those who think that raids and investigations are sure steps to make people toe the line or succumb to pressures.
People have diverse and strong views about the unity of opposition forces, as they are skeptical of some politicians or political parties’ commitment to Goa. They are not wrong, considering past events and betrayals. However, it is also true that unless parties and people unite with sincere efforts to save what is left of Goa, we will have the eternal remorse of not having done enough for our land.
Goa surely deserves better. It took an outspoken High Court Judge to tell us that “Goa is a land worth fighting for”. And if Goans themselves do not do it, who will? Let us not abdicate our duty to protect our land and do whatever we can to ensure that it is not sold to the highest bidder, as is being done now.
Another opportunity to hold the power in our hands will knock our doors shortly. Let us not waste it but use it rather judiciously to choose the right person, wherever possible and reject outright those who are not dependable.
(The author is a retired banker)
