SHWETA KAMAT
shweta@herald-goa.com
PANAJI: In the mining belt, of late, there has been a different kind of divide. After a decade of uncertainty, close to two lakh voters, spread across seven assembly constituencies, though divided in their political aspirations, are united to throw BJP out of power.
Taking into consideration the profound impact the closure of the iron ore mining industry has had in their lives since 2012, the dependents have made their choice. Though the 2020 Zilla Panchayat election saw the saffron flag shining in rural Goa, including the mining areas, the people here, are now looking for a change, a change that figures their livelihoods as a priority
Anti-mining activist like Ravindra Velip from Kavre Pirale, prominent pro-mining leaders like Puti Gaonkar Nilkhant Gawas, and Vinayak Gauns important stakeholders are all contesting the elections from different anti-BJP parties.
“We might be divided in our political affiliation but we are united to oust BJP from power. We are not going to repeat the mistake we committed during ZP election. We gave them a final opportunity that time but not anymore,” Goa Mining People Front (GMPF) leader Puti Gaonkar
From Poriem, Valpoi to Bicholim, Mayem, to CM Pramod Sawant’s constituency Sanquelim in North Goa to Sanguem, Curchorem, Sanvordem, Quepem in South Goa – the rural constituencies whose significant population, including its politicians, are dependent on iron ore mining. Being a port town, Vasco and Mormugao constituency can also be counted as an area where indirect mining stakeholders live
In the 2017 election, the BJP won in Bicholim, Mayem, Sanquelim and Curchorem.
However, 2022 might be different, according to mining dependents and one can see its upshot on the ground where BJP candidates are not even allowed to enter their houses. “We waited for enough but now we are done, mentally and physically and financially. We don’t want to give any more opportunity to the BJP, which has made false promises but no effort. Mining is just an issue for them but for us, it is our livelihood” Premanand Gauns, truck owner from Sanguem said.
In the run-up to the 2022 state elections, the BJP led by Pramod Sawant has made a slew of announcements towards resuming iron ore mining: a new state-owned corporation, auctioning of mines, auction of dumps, etc but everything seems to be on paper so far.
“I am contesting the election because I want to defeat BJP. We gave them enough chance; All we want mining to start and for that purpose, it is important that BJP is out of power” Vinayak Gauns said.
