“As is the king, so are the people” says an age old adage. If this holds true in a monarchy, the opposite is equally true in a democracy wherein people directly elect their representatives to get the government they deserve!
The fractured mandate thrown up by the Assembly elections and the cobbled up Government formation is on expected lines. The only surprise element here is that the party with the largest number of MLAs could not get their act together when it mattered the most. The problem with the Congress (as is bound to be the case where too many cooks are involved) is that even before they could decide on the rice for the pulao, the BJP got their biryani ready for a ‘eager to oblige’ Governor. Now why blame this and that politician? In today’s environment, if politicians are not opportunistic, they will soon cease to be politicians!
In what seems to be a dramatic dispensation of natural justice, the former minister for forest & environment, Arlekar and the former chief minister Parsekar himself appear to have succumbed to the curse of the coconut tree. Hopefully, soon the coconut will be restored to its former status as a tree in a frantic attempt to redeem the image of Goa`s proclaimed custodian of Goemkarpon. But as the dust settles down, the cashew tree could very well become the next victim of our politicians insatiable greed. If reliable sources privy to inside information are to be believed, a proposal to classify the cashew tree as a shrub has been creeping around in the corridors of power since quite a long time. We only need an Arlekar and a Parsekar to facilitate the quick destruction of our verdant green rolling hills and pristine orchard lands!
Last time around, Alina Saldanha, the then minister for forest & environment stood her ground against business lobbies and their powerful friends in politics till she was finally divested of these portfolios. Sadly, Saldanha, the only woman MLA in the ruling dispensation is yet to find a place in the State cabinet. The lady has always conducted herself with grace and dignity and has been highly articulate on issues concerning women, Goa and Goemkarpon. It is also for Vijai Sardessai (the pivot on which the present Goa govt depends) who swears by Goa and Goemkarpon to see that Alina comes back as the minister for forest & environment in the best interest of Goa`s environment and prove his credentials.
Every political party talks about women empowerment and reservations for women. But when a capable woman comes up on her own strength, she is often sidelined. Some time back, Victoria Fernandes, the lone woman MLA was denied a berth in the Digambar Kamat cabinet causing much heart burn. This should not happen again! More than half the population of Goa is female and they deserve to be honoured with an effective representation. All said and done, no man will ever understand some subtle women related issues as well as a woman.
