The EVMs are sealed and so is the fate of many aspirants to Goa Assembly seat. We need to wait, for another month, with bated breath, to know who we have chosen to rule us for the next five years. Not that the choice will be ours or of the majority of the electorate. As we know, BJP has a comfortable majority in Lok Sabha despite being voted by only 31% of the electorate. A similar or worse situation may arise in Goa, due to vote fragmentation. However, the electorate needs to be complimented for displaying enough political consciousness and setting out to vote – something that was not happening in many earlier elections, when people had lost interest in voting with same old unwanted faces in the fray, Government instability and deterioration in governance. Things changed in 2012, when people disgusted with the Party they trusted for years, voted massively and decisively for a change, which eventually proved costly. Perhaps, it was the only election in many years when people had guessed right what the results would be, though the near decimation of Congress was not anticipated. The results were not totally unexpected, but the governance was. People were ecstatic and their expectations rose very high, particularly with Manohar Parrikar at the helm of affairs, but soon despondency, disillusionment and frustration set in, ironically with the same gentleman being responsible for them. It is really strange that the ever presumptuous Defense Minister still boasts of “people having confidence in his ability to deliver”- deliver what? – may I ask Mr Parrikar, – projects for whose benefit? – without proper permissions and environment clearances, riding roughshod over the wishes and interests of the people, damaging their fields, plantations, etc, with grave danger of flooding and ,threats to their livelihood? Is this what you call development and capacity to deliver?
The percentage of voting was perhaps unprecedented, despite almost every second household having one or more eligible voters abroad.. However, deletion of names from the rolls, for inexplicable reasons, continues. It needs to stop and people responsible for it made accountable. Deletion cannot be arbitrary and advance notice to such voters must be given. Inclusion of names is not easy either, perhaps not for migrants and those recommended by politicians. The Election Commission must pay attention to these issues. Serious complaints to them seem inconsequential raising doubts about their sincerity, effectiveness and impartiality. It was also not fair to Goa and Punjab to make them wait for 5 weeks for the results. These States could have voted soon after UP, with results coming the very next day. Parties and candidates have cast aspersions, justified or not, on EC and unless plausible explanations are offered, suspicions about its role cannot be altogether avoided.
Ever keen in feeding people with false promises, some Parties prepared last minute manifestos, one out-beating the other. Congress spokesman R. S. Surjeewalla tried dishing out to us the sweet pill of Special Status. Does he not know that Sonia promised it to us twice earlier when she came to Goa? Another prominent local Congressman keeps regularly asserting that the Goa Assembly has powers to decide on the issue of preservation of land for locals and recourse to Parliament or Art. 371 is unnecessary. My question to these gentlemen is: Where were you and the Congress for so many years when it was in power, to grant Goans this right? Can you even dream of getting it now when BJP has already rejected our demand? Does Congress think that Goans are fools to believe them and their promises? On the other hand, Parrikar tells us that Goa does not need Special Status as the Centre has given us enough funds. Was financial status what we asked for? Didn’t PM Modi himself compliment us for seeking protection of land and not financial package? Irrespective of the position they occupy, what respect do they deserve when they cannot keep promises made? In fact every step BJP takes is contrary to protection of our land.
Many of us have blamed the electorate in the past for the choice of our representatives and often felt that we have had Governments we deserve, because we place own interests above Goa’s. But this time around, we have had far too many candidates contesting, making people’s choice difficult. Generally, candidates are highly conceited and feel they have the potential, competence and popularity to get elected. In a month’s time, they would know where they stand. Most of them have no interest in serving the State or the people and find politics a very profitable profession. Some, and we know who they are, have surely been financed by the master manipulator to divide the votes. It is not machinations that they fell prey to, but for money and other assurances. That was lamentable. However, there are a few, very few indeed, who have genuine interest in working for Goa but failed to realise their inability to defeat the crooks, eventually unwittingly helping the most detestable. This was avoidable.
Heavy voting is generally a sign of anti-incumbency. Hopefully it will be, but with division of votes, we may well be in for many surprises, with some candidates being lucky with small margins. Though people anticipate a fractured mandate, political parties seem upbeat with BJP expecting 2/3 majority, Manipulations and horse-trading are expected. Attempts at cobbling a majority to grab power will surely follow. Unless badly trounced, BJP, ruling at the Central has the advantage and will try its stunts. Stability, development and governance are likely casualties. A month from now, we may have another Carnival during Lent…
(The writer is a
retired banker)
