In the run up to the April 12 Lok Sabha polls, Herald will speak to candidates. We begin our interview with South Goa independent candidate Govind Gaude.
Q: What prompted you to contest these Lok Sabha elections as an independent?
A: For the last 20 years I have been active in the social field, and have been a member of different frontal organizations fighting for the common man’s issues and constantly combating injustice. In 2007, I contested the assembly elections on the Congress ticket from Madkai and in 2012; I was an independent candidate fighting the MGP-BJP alliance from Priol. I have realized that for social work to be effective it has to continue from a political platform and that is why I have decided to contest these Lok Sabha elections.
What is your background and your education and profession?
I come from a poor farmer’s family and I have become an engineer by sheer hard work. I wish to do a lot for the common man as an MP.
What will be your agenda or purpose in contesting this election?
My primary aim is employment generation through environment friendly and pollution free industrialization. I will strive for employment oriented education and skill development among our talented youth through technical and other courses. This will stop the present inward migration of skilled labor which is due to the vacuum in Goa. But why are you contesting as an independent?
Simple. I was not approached by any party and I do not wish to approach anyone. And I do not believe in lobbying for tickets and in suitcase politics. In any case I am confident that I will do just as well as an independent candidate. I have been active in society on many fronts. I have been a theatre artiste and the state govt has recognized my achievements.
Give us a sense of people oriented causes you have taken up.
I have taken active part in the agitation for the Regional Plan. I would like to especially mention two of my achievements. I have prevented a major land scam in the Bandora Comunidade in which a nexus of politicians bureaucrats and the land mafia were planning to grab 2,70,000 sq. meters of land. Because of my efforts the High Court has put a stop to the matter in which plots were being demarcated without conversion sanads. Secondly, an illegal crusher was operating in Keri-Amadi village of Ponda Taluka for the last 20 years. I, with the villagers, agitated and closed down the crusher within 20 days. I am therefore confident that I do not need any political party to work for the people, but that people will fully back me even if I am independent.
People thought that UTTA would be with the BJP considering that your leaders are associated with the BJP. What is the current situation?
UTTA is not a political forum and all individuals are free to make their own decisions. Just because one or two leaders are close to one party, it does not mean that UTTA is with that party. I have worked selflessly for UTTA without any expectations. I am sure that the entire ST leadership will back me. My candidature is a symbol of the self-respect of my community and I am sure of the entire community’s support.
We are told that the Parrikar Govt has done nearly everything for the welfare of the tribal population. So why are you fighting the BJP?
The Parrikar Govt’s achievements are only on paper. The reality is that it is big zero. Parrikar and his party look at the tribal population as a vote-bank. I have personally got information using the RTI Act that no benefits have reached the STs. We are shown ‘carrots’ of development and benefits, but actually they only want us to remain where we are so that we can be exploited.
There is a feeling that you will split the BJP and Congress votes. Any comments?
I am not here to split any votes. I am contesting to win. I am confident that I will have support in the whole of South Goa. My work in the social field will is recognized by the voters. They also appreciate that I have dared to contest as an independent. Each vote for me will be for democracy and against dictatorial tendencies.
What is your support base and your chances of winning?
My support base is not restricted to my community. It is spread over other communities also. Just as an example, when I contested in Priol, I got only 41% of the ST votes. The rest of my votes came from the general electorate. I do not represent only the ST vote but the entire Bahujan Samaj. I want to remind you that the BSP founder Kanshi Ram had said that “Political instability ensures justice to the Bahujan Samaj”. In this context, every non-BJP, non-Congress victor in the elections will ensure justice for the Bahujan Samaj. That is why every Bahujan Samaj voter will back me.
Who is your main enemy? BJP, Congress or anybody else?
No, I do not have any enemy in particular. But I am disgusted with the BJP’s false allegations against me that I am a plant of the Congress. The BJP’s habit of lies and deceptions continues. I appeal to all my supporters not to believe these lies. The same rumour was spread during the last assembly elections in Priol. But the voters later regretted when they realized the truth.
What is your programme for the tribal population?
To obtain all benefits for the ST community as per the constitutional rights. The problem is that everything is clearly spelled out but is not properly implemented. I will strive for proper implementation. I do not believe in depriving any other community for the benefit of the STs. We only want what is constitutionally ours.
What is your equation with Ramesh Tawadkar, your minister?
Politically I have no reason to be associated with him. As I have said earlier what the Govt has done for the ST community is a big zero. Though, I have nothing personal against Tawadkar, I will expose the fact that this state govt has done nothing over the last 2 years.
