MARGAO: With another week to go for the Assembly election results, two parish priests Fr Gabriel Coutinho and Fr Eremito Rebello have come out hard against potential defectors by calling upon Goans to “gherao and hold dharnas” against newly elected MLAs in front of their houses if they defect to other political parties after the election results are declared.
“People’s power is supreme in a democracy. We have to realise this now and not repent later. If the newly elected MLAs try fool us once again by trying to defect in pretext of development in the name of development, this is the right time to show them people’s power,” Fr Gabriel Coutinho, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Navelim Church said.
“This time if they take money and defect we have to teach them lessons in a non violent way. Be ready for a second battle if they change parties. We have to be shrewd. We have to go and stage sit-in at their doorsteps. Let’s continue the battle till we get justice. Let us teach them what is people’s power,” Fr Gabriel said.
Fr Gabriel claimed lot of money was distributed in the Assembly elections and called on people to be cautious about the ensuing panchayat elections where again money will be distributed.
“We have to assess what type of money this is. Is it money from hard work or is it blood money? Money from hard work is difficult to spend. I feel this is blood money, got from looting others. Will it be good for us? Each of us has to think. Will God like this or not….think,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, in a hard-hitting message, Parish Priest of Rachol church Fr Eremito Rebello has appealed Goans to gherao the MLAs and even go to their homes.
A video prepared by him has gone viral on the social media, wherein he has also warned the candidates not to engage in defection if elected.
“We are all aware that election results will be out on March 10 for the polling held on February 14, and hence through this video I would like to warn the MLAs not to switch the political party. The elected representatives may be under the impression that the court of law will not do any harm if defected. However one thing needs to be kept in mind that the issue is not of court, but of conscience,” said Fr Eremito.
He further reminds the candidates that voters have voted them from the conscience, and hence morality and ethics plays an important role, and not any law.
“People of Goa will not tolerate any sought of defection after the election results are out on March 10. My appeal to the people is to not only gherao and hold dharna in front of the houses of newly elected MLAs if they defect but also force them to resign and get re-elected,” Fr. Eremito said.
According to him, people of Goa should not tolerate any more defections in the State, and such type of activities from the politicians needs to be stopped.
“It is our duty to bring all the politicians on the right path,” he added.
Meanwhile, the remarks of both the priests have evoked supportive reactions.
“I support Fr Eremito Rebello’s views. It is high time that the elected representatives should get warning because they throw public mandate to winds and indulge in defections for their personal gains,” said Peter Dias, a youth from Raia.
Custodio Alvares from Navelim however said that the entire issue has to be seen in a balanced manner because after election results we need a stable government.
“Independent MLAs and one or two MLAs of smaller parties are free to support the government or else it will cause instability. But no elected MLA should take voters for granted.”
Sudip Tamhankar, bus owner from Ribandar said that the defections were happening because MLAs have been taking advantage of the loopholes in Anti-Defection Act.
“The defections have to stop because it lands in litigations and affects the overall functioning of the State administration,” he said.
Former president of Goa State Commission for Women, Ezilda Sapeco differed from the parish priests.
“Gheraos and dharna in front of defecting MLAs houses will not solve the problem. I don’t think it is the ultimate solution to defections. Anti-defection law should be amended in such a way that there has to be some deterrent to such legislators and Parliamentarians,” she said.
