Glenn Costa
glenn@herald-goa.com
PANJIM : John Fernandes, the quintessential maverick, brash and outspoken was sent to the State to clean up the systemic rot in the Goa unit of the grand old party. The former Rajya Sabha MP was a dark horse, pushed by Digvijay Singh with no obvious affiliation to any faction and relatively clean image.
However, these very outspoken ways have proved to be a deterrent to John and the party as he has managed to rub almost every senior leader in the party the wrong way. He flouted most of the traditions and norms of the grand old party — Congress. He has spoken against senior leaders, literally humiliated others and hounded others out, leading Congress to the precipice of doom.
An outsider who was also very much an insider, he was outspoken, formed his opinions quickly and gave his sound bytes at an astounding rate.
He also spared no time in trying to stamp his authority on the party that was full of leaders who were ensconced and virtually untouchable, happy with the status quo and not bothered at the way the party was being cut out from under their very feet.
He has suspended the Alemao clan, irrevocably alienated the Ranes and Mauvin Godinho and Aleixo Sequeira hate his bull in a china shop mode of working.
“By terming me as a BJP spokesperson, GPCC President John Fernandes has further escalated the problem with my workers. Fernandes has not only antagonised my workers and supporters, but has also alienated them which made my supporters and workers angry,” Congress MLA Mauvin Godinho had told media recently. His spokesman has done his bidding including announce the sacking of old Congressmen.
“The party has observed that the anti-party activities in South Goa district Congress Committee office was initiated and directed by Aleixo Sequeira (on his suspension order by GPCC President John Fernandes),” was former youth Congress president and spokeswoman and GPCC General Secretary Pratima Coutinho briefing to media recently.
But he has his followers too. The rank and file are happy. At least there was someone who was willing to articulate what they had been saying all this time. To take on those who had not given them a chance to grow as they had no godfathers – or did not belong to the correct families.
And today, the workers who had slogged for an ideology and many a times spent out of their pockets for the party are suffering for the sins of their leaders.
Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco tries to take a middle path: “Why do we need to blame John for the current mess in the Congress? He has done many good things for the party and we cannot ignore that.” But adds, “I feel that the party High Command must take everyone into confidence before taking any decision”.
While the High Command appears to have taken a decision but are now in pause mode, Fernandes, inspite of some local support, is untenable for the party in Goa.
