‘Development’ under this Govt must be kept under regular check

The recent political developments in Goa were indeed shameful but it is imperative for us now to leave them behind and move forward keeping a constant check on every step this Government takes and the model of development it wishes to implement. The unambiguous indictment of the ruling Party, through the EVMs, ought to make this Government sit up and introspect over its past performance and misdeeds,  often brought to light by the Press and the people but overlooked by a defiant Government, bent upon doing what it wanted. 

It is to be hoped that having failed to see the writing on the wall and consequently having faced a humiliating defeat, it will now make amends and act with prudence and be overcautious not to take people for granted. At the same time, the developments are also a painful indication to us that the will of the people, exercised every five years, no longer matters. We are no more the kings who will decide which Government will rule us. And this is what we seem to lose sight of when many of us, most unashamedly, clap for the installation of a Government supported by a bunch of traitors and turncoats, who made a mockery of the people’s mandate. No matter what our views and expectations are on performance and development, such happenings do pose a grave danger to democracy particularly with the type of Government we have at the Centre. It is now abundantly evident that aggressive attempts at usurping power, using all types of detestable means, and at eliminating opposition will not stop. 

Presenting PM Modi as the unquestioned leader, who can and will then rule like a dictator, having almost all the States in his pocket – is the aim.  If a clear verdict of the people against the ruling Party, by showing the door to half the Ministry, including a crushing defeat of the Chief Minister, can be overturned overnight by manipulations and by those who got elected on anti-incumbency platform, where is the people’s say in the elections and the respect for people’s mandate? However, to be candid, whatever has happened, though highly immoral, might prove to be a blessing in disguise both to the Congress as well as to us. To the Congress, because it is in disarray and would not have been able to bring stability to the Government. 

Further, the Central Government would have starved Goa of funds and ensured that the Congress Government was unable to function effectively. This would have disgraced the Congress further and been detrimental for the Party in future. This Government could be beneficial to us in terms of performance, as it can count on financial support of the Central Government. Further, having learnt its lessons from the electoral setback, it is unlikely to repeat past mistakes and will probably take a more cautious approach to various controversial issues. However, the greatest danger we face is that this Government will be a pawn in the hands of the Central Government which tries to implement its nefarious plans through their submissive and servile agents in Goa. 

Many controversial and some grave issues haunt us at present and the Government has a herculean task ahead. While we do not doubt the competence of people in the Government, surely we cannot remain complacent. In fact, considering our past experiences, we need to be always suspicious of their intentions, for too often they have put their own interests and those of their bosses in Delhi above ours. It is a painful experience for many activists and those who, at the cost of many sacrifices, have been ever vigilant on issues dear to the hearts of all Goans, to have to be on the roads no matter which Government comes to power.

The nationalisation of our rivers, the highly dangerous proposal to convert Mormugao into a coal hub, the conversion of our village roads into highways, thereby inviting further trouble over SC’s decision to remove nearby liquor outlets, the proposed 80 meter expressway, which will divide our compact villages, destroy our fields, raze our hills for mud requirements and fell thousands of our trees with likely environmental impact; the Mopa airport, which will create rather than solve problems and can easily be dispensed with, if expansion of Dabolim can be worked out if only the Chief Minister has the willingness and Goa’s interests at heart – all this and much more are in the present Government’s plate, which may not be easy to deal with. Surely divergent views do exist in the Cabinet but whether they will come to the fore or whether some members will just swallow the dictates of the supreme commander is to be seen. The Cabinet has some very clever manipulators, which we need to guard against. 

The Regional Plan is another very important issue for us, particularly if we are keen in retaining whatever Goemkarponn is still left in Goa. It will indeed be a difficult task to counter Vijai Sardessai, the new TCP Minister who, as has been seen, is endowed with great manipulative powers to deceive the public. But it will be no less difficult for Vijai to balance his greed with people’s demands on the Regional Plan. It is here that Vijai’s much proclaimed Goenkarponn will be put to test. With stakes high, he is unlikely to give in.  But if he turns out to be a traitor to Goans once again, the Regional Plan may prove to be his Waterloo. Let us not be blinded by “development” at any cost. It has to be Goa and Goan-centric and environment-friendly. “Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty”.

(The author is a retired banker)