The Congress in Goa, in the manner in which it has appointed and finalised its leadership team in the next Assembly elections has done two things.
a) It has certified almost beyond doubt that its ragtag army of rejected, retired players (some rejected AND retired) are working for the vested interests of only a coterie, all of whom are serving the ‘controlling, ruling all-powerful party’ where the people have no say. One has lost count of the alphabets one can attach to the Congress and the other so-called anti-BJP parties. They can all be alphabetically arranged from B party onwards.
b) The Congress’ disinterest in actually winning over the hearts of the people in Goa; and some of the actions of other so-called anti-BJP parties have at least led to one realisation. And that is:
The people of Goa deserve better.
And what do they want, and can actually get? A party with a proven track record of credibility, honesty and people-oriented leadership, which has not betrayed Goans and their choices in the past and will never do it in the future.
In addition to the Congress, the other parties too have black spots that are getting darker and darker. One party is struggling to explain what it has done with hard-earned donations from Goans across the country and abroad, while another is unable to explain why it has been silent on many issues concerning Goans as well as on sensitive issues and apprehensions people have on many aspects.
Will Goans be taken for a ride? For forty years Goans have experienced failed promises across parties.
Herald will not allow Goa or Goans to fall into the manipulation trap of anti-BJP parties who are fooling Goans by telling them that they are here to bring about change. Goa cannot go further out of control.
But most of them, and especially the current leadership of the Congress, after doing all they can to allow the same system to continue as long they get their personal benefits.
Some of the office-bearers, with all due respect and deference to their long years, have been literally pulled out of retirement and given positions. For the entire term of this government, one did not hear a squeak out of them. Many have lost more elections than won, including one whose political identity is linked to the mere 600 votes he got as a Congress candidate for one election. We have someone chosen who had openly worked against the party in one election, as well as someone who was the main leadership face of another party that did not win a single seat in the last elections.
The GPCC president of course has tried often but not won a single election.
Can most of those in the Committees and in higher positions actually display a single act and that includes even a statement or visible support, to causes important to Goans.
The logic of these choices cannot be explained by senior Congressmen. But at the very least the desk in charge should explain his basis for finalising these names, obviously by him and the coterie that rules the Goa Congress now. The Congress President has approved proposals sent by the coterie based on trust. It is clearly misplaced trust.
Leave aside the common Goan. Is there any happiness within the rank and file of the Congress about the selection of the very old ‘new’ Congress team?
The South Goa MP says time will tell if these decisions are correct or not, a senior MLA refuses to comment, a very senior leader who heads one of the committees says “these positions are actually decorative”. For sure. These ‘decorations’ will be kept till Christmas and then taken down and packed, perhaps for the next Christmas. That’s all they are – decorations. And this comment has some basis. Can the head of the Election Coordination Committee be a master of ticket distribution when the master conductor (distributing tickets) is already at the helm of affairs.
Then a newly inducted member of the party announces that the “one man one post” formula will be applied and those appointed as Chairpersons and Convenors of Committees will not contest the election and “welcomed” the move. His statement was clearly aimed at keeping out other contenders for tickets (who are in the committees) in the constituencies where the newly inducted member has his eyes on.
One can clearly see how vested interests are playing their part and not party interests. This seems to have become the DNA of the Goa Congress.
The people of Goa do not want deal-making parties or committees. They are looking for honest leadership.
Yes, people who Goans do not want have been put in prime positions, five months before the elections. The list looks like an attempted balancing act to give representation to the major communities in an exercise in secularism. But lest we forget, this is supposed to be a merit-based committee, whose leaders are
expected to lead the claimed principal opposition party space.
A fresh new start is needed. By a party welcomed by Goans consisting of candidates chosen by Goans.
Herald will of course welcome and fully back whatever is good for Goans. If there is a corruption-free party, we will welcome it. If it’s a people’s party people will welcome it. If it’s a party without any hidden agenda of splitting votes and destroying genuine opposition, people will welcome it.
People will surely find a way, and Herald will be with them.
However, the people of Goa are above all this. They will find a way and Herald will be with them to have a people led Goa. And there will be a way. People will find that way and get a party that can truly deliver the desires of those who live in and love Goa.
And GOD will bless Goa.
