The on-going political crisis in Goa is a perfect example of what the ‘seduction’ of power can do. The current chief minister is suffering from a grave ailment which is life threatening, but constantly refuses to give up his powers. The allied parties are waiting like eager vultures to grab the prize possession of Chief Ministers seat. This has caused an embarrassing imbroglio on governance in the state.
A sneak-peak into the historical, social and political threads of Goa can reveal a lot about the current crisis and more so ever about the lifeless acceptance of the same by the people.
Goa was ‘liberated’ in 1961. The word ‘liberated’ builds a connotation that straightway refuses the earnest efforts of the Goan independence fighters. Unlike British India, Goa never witnessed mass nationalistic awakening on a large scale, in the course of the change of polity. It never had its version of ‘Quit India movement’. In 1961, there was a change of government without the change in the public mind-set.
Goa has seen great leadership under Dayanand Bandodkar. His persistent social leanings and earnest individuality has given shape to the politics in Goa, but Goan public never faced the critical choice of left, right or centre. Today we see, the so-called ‘upper caste’ in Goa is still holding a major share in power (if we see the top ministers). Complimented by that factor is the the statement ‘where there is power, there is me’ by one of the Cabinet minister. This sums up the lost vision of governance in the state.
Goa is one of the best performing state in terms of per capita income. Such great statistics hardly induces an analysis of the source of incomes. But if we have a deeper look we can see the income level is a summation of foreign remittances of the Goan expats and the boom in the tourism sector. There is no doubt that tourism has created splendid opportunities for local communities to shine. But this sudden jump of income has caused an infliction of conspicuous consumption upon the society. The exploitation in the name of caste, which was quite blatant in the past, is still done under a hypocritical veil.
The fact that one of the allies in the ruling party, for the sake of power, shook hands with its opponents, shows that political ideology can be abandoned in lieu of power. The voter’s lethargy also supports such butchery of political righteousness. There have been evidence that the voters have been taking money from all sources and voting for the highest bidder. Such cold rationality on the front of both voters and politicians proves that the kind of leadership we get is due to our own ethical leanings. This attitude needs a genuine change on the part of public.
In a democracy, public has a huge potential of power, which, if unleashed in terms of voting patterns, can change social, political and economic dimensions. It is time for a revolution. Let me clear that up, lest I be called an anti-national or an Urban Naxal. It’s time for a mental revolution in each and every Goan where by we introspect our ethics towards all aspect of life in the society and polity.
