The BJP spokesperson Dr Wilfred Mesquita has said that the Congress is dividing the electorate on communal lines. This is a classic case of double-speak, as in actuality, this is the BJP’s strategy to divide the secular vote, by fielding candidates like Churchill Alemao and Shalom Sardinha, and coercing Mickky Pacheco and Caitano D’Silva to support the BJP or by terrorising them with dire consequences like police cases. And by projecting just that, the BJP is trying to consolidate the Hindu vote in the State. This has been the BJP’s strategy since long.
An insidious message is being subtly sent to the minority communities by the BJP – that “we no longer need your vote – we have already fooled the Hindu voters and they will bring us to power.” The strategy seems to be an exact replica of no Muslim candidate being fielded by the BJP in UP where Muslims constitute about 19% of the population.
Which, itself is a replica of the party’s strategy in the last Gujarat assembly elections when not a single minority candidate was on the BJP’s list.
The BJP has not fielded any minority community candidate in either of the seats of Goa, despite statistics showing a large chunk of 34% of the electorate as minorities. This is an indication that Manohar Parrikar had conceded the fact that his Mission Salcete 2012 will not work in these elections. His ploy of fielding minority candidates to split the secular vote was planned well in advance. But what the BJP MLA from Benaulim, Caitu, is allegedly telling his constituents reflects the actual strategy of the party that wishes to terrorise the minorities. He apparently conveys the message to his constituents in Benaulim that names of those who do not back the BJP have been communicated to the BJP leaders and they should be ready to face vindictive action. He has opined that, in future, the minority community should permanently live in abject fear of the elements of the majority community. He says that this is the only way forward for the minority community. This is obviously what has happened in Gujarat as regards the Muslims there. The BJP’s plan to convert Goa into a Gujarat is evident and Churchill, Shalom, Micky & Caitu are collaborators in this plan.
The problem with BJP is that its definition of Hindutva, in practice as well as in theory, is based on its aversion of minorities and everything that is or can be made to look linked to them. They are not interested in introducing Hindu vision to the constitution but in demolishing Muslim personal laws. They love singing Vande Mataram not because of its inherent beauty but because it irks the minority community.
But this time around, things are not going to be so easy for the BJP in Goa. The electorate of Goa is an educated lot. They are far more socially and politically cultured than what the saffron party thinks. The Goan voter, especially after the 2012 Assembly elections, will not fall prey to any of these ploys of the BJP. BJP’s promise of a brighter, developed and inclusive India has failed miserably in the past. And even if Modi tries to sell the same old wine in a new bottle, and his local face, Manohar Parrikar, endorses his master, the Goan voter will not buy it. Modi is a man who wants to make a “Hindu Rashtra.”
The Goan voter understands the importance of this election that this is an election which will decide, whether India will continue to prevail as a land where people of all religions will continue to live in harmony, tranquillity and conformity, just how our founding fathers had wished. The Goan voter is one that understands the true ‘Idea of India’.
Yes, we need not be sacred of confronting any forces that are bent on destroying the secular and plural nature of India’s constitution and social and cultural identity. We must face their challenge with a plan and thought out strategy. Instead of succumbing to their designs and just focusing on emotional issues, we must empower ourselves – ideologically, socially and economically.
The views expressed in the article are of the writer and Herald holds no responsibility for the same.
