All in the family: Cong has repeatedly embraced betrayers

Bindiya Chari

bindiya@herald-goa.com

With Ranes, Alemaos and Naiks expanding their political adventure,  Goa is poised to be trapped in dynastic politics. 

  The last two Assembly elections introduced the trend wherein the ambition of certain leaders transcended the convention of meritocracy.

This elections may bring in a dynastic set-up if  Ranes,  Alemaos, and Naiks, and  not to miss the Dhavalikars and the Monserattes, have their  way.

The tone for dynastic politics was set-up by the Alemaos followed by Ranes.  This elections,  both Alemao brothers have flexed their muscles to see that their children, even kin,  are given tickets.   If all  are eventually elected,  Goa  will have MLAs  from  a select  few families.

   Churchill Alemao’s daughter Valanka has made a strong pitch for Benaulim. The powers that be in the Congress party are likely to surrender to the whims of the Alemaos, despite the professed Congress policy norm of one ticket per family.

The malaise of dynastic politics is such that the Congress Party has time and again proved that it has not hesitated to surrender before the blackmailers in  pursuit of remaining in power.

A case in point is that of Vishwajit Rane who contested as an independent from Valpoi Assembly election when Congress party refused him a ticket in 2007 Assembly election.  

Pratapsing Rane was reportedly told by the Congress High Command to convince his son not to contest as an Independent. And though Congress Party was vehemently opposed to giving a ticket to Vishwajit  — it did not dare field a candidate against him  even when   he openly challenged the party.

Viswajit won his first assembly election against BJP’s Puti Gaonkar with a margin of over 3500 votes.  And the first time MLA went on to become Education Minister in the Congress government. He thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of his Independent status, until Congress Party succeeded in making him join the Congress in 2010.

Another prominent minister in the government, who has made the Congress Party dance at his tunes is Taleligao satrap Babush Monserrate.

   Monserrate left the Congress party in the lurch when his wife Jennifer Monserrate was denied a ticket in 2007 Assembly.

  The then AICC observer Margaret Alva accused Babush of being a “Judas” for his betrayal, claiming the Congress would never forgive him for his misdemeanors. But soon, she had to eat a humble pie when Congress fell short of numbers, and had to solicit assistance of the “Judas” in the government formation. He was made the Education minister. 

   Needless to say, ground realities have not changed much in 2012. Even now, Taleigao man is sitting on the fence, and it is unclear at what opportune time he will take a plunge and in which direction. 

Another political family that is known to exert pressure on Congress Party and its government is Churchill brothers.  They blow hot and cold at every given opportunity. 

Churchill Alemao defected from the party ahead of 2007 Assembly election and formed Save Goa Front (SGF) which won two seats.   Alva, who was the then general secretary in charge of party affairs in Goa, was so furious that she referred to him as a “joker”

However everything was buried under the hatchet after the polls — SGF offered conditional support to the government and the two brothers were awarded with plum portfolios.

The Dhavlikar brothers too have proved that they are indispensable in government formation. They openly sided with Vishwajit Rane and his anti-government activities and were also a part of the unsuccessful G-7 coup in April 2010.

    Home Minister Ravi Naik’s  sons  — Ritiesh and Roy too are  all set to   test their

family influence.  Roy Naik has been preparing to contest from Mayem while Ritesh Naik from Madkaim.

   Now, what if the Congress High Command declines to give tickets to Ritesh and Roy?   Will they follow in the footsteps of Vishwajit Rane? Yes, in every probability.

   One more family rising on the political scene is the Madkaikars.  The Cumbharjua MLA is also preparing to field his brother from Priol.  Dhaku Madkaikar has filed application for the Congress ticket, even as MLA Pandurang Madkaikar ‘s wife Janita is  the Sarpanch of Old Goa Village panchayat.

    In 2008,  Madkaikar  was  dropped from the cabinet to accommodate Sudin Dhavlikar as Transport Minister.  He threatened the government several times that he would quit if not inducted as a cabinet member.