As evident from the past games of the politicians, whatever Congress proposed, BJP opposed and vise-versa. In the case of the new outfit Goa Forward, it could be a marathon task for them to oppose both BJP and Congress together. The earlier decisions taken by either Congress or BJP were all alike during their own sweet terms to benefit them individually or personally. To protect their own individual or party’s interests. The voice of the Goan people that rose against corruption and mis-management died down below the plateau of Porvorim under the dictatorial hammer of the consecutive governments. The voice of the people lost rhythm along the waves of River Mandovi.
If we look back to a decade old history, Casinos were opposed by Parrikar during Congress rule whereas Congress opposed the same during BJP’s rule. A similar episode with IFFI festival was witnessed. It’s a cat and mouse game, the same common man is on the street raising concerns, the same politicians are playing a “blame” game without hurting each other. The common man of Goa takes the beating at the receiving end, the politicians got to get the last laugh. The tall promises by either party that corrupt politicians will go to jail are just for public entertainment during election time.
Consecutive governments in the past promised the main contention issues of Goa to be sorted out. SEZ – we never did it in the best interests of Goa. Regional Plan – yes, the politicians want this issue for the next election, let people shout on the top of their voice, who cares? Politicians will make more issues to draw attention of the people some are building bridges, some simply opposing the same.
MOPA will remain one of the main bones of contention for the Salcete electorate. When tourism itself is having a bleak future in Goa, the government of the BJP and the MLA’s of the North should realize that Dabolim is more than self sufficient for Goans. Being in the Centre of Goa, it has been a blessing for the North and South of Goa. But why do we need an airport at the border of Maharashtra? Why not shift Navy to Quitol when land can be accommodated for the DefExpo? And why not think of moving Navy to MOPA and free Dabolim to be totally a civilian airport? Neither Congress nor BJP has the will to think the betterment of the Goans.
During this dictatorial BJP Raj, the Congressmen are busy protecting Digambar Kamat and other tainted Congressmen. The BJP is on the bullish mode driving through with it’s destructive egos, covering the hardcore RSS elements and other BJP cadres. The much promised Lokayukta for Goa was an eyewash, the Shah Commission Report on mining, etc. has been a film of mud over the eyes of Goans. Tainted politicians from erstwhile Congress like Mauvin Godhino, Monserrates has now taken cover under the BJP umbrella, directly or indirectly to save from the numerous wrongdoings committed during the Congress regime. BJP and Congress regimes in Goa failed miserably on the garbage issue. They only turned Goa garbage into gold through their clandestine operations with the garbage treatment contractors and nothing changed, the garbage stinks all over Goa. Consecutive governments failed on the Madei dam water issue and kept the ball in the Karnataka hands to roll. Goan politicians even failed to satisfactorily feed the animals at the Bondla Zoo. The poor animals over there have turned into skeletons but our politicians have turned like fat farm grown pumpkins atop Porvorim’s garden of evil.
And, but not the last issue. The MoI or the issue of Medium of Instruction has to be clarified by the new outfit that is now boasting of it’s emergence to save Goans from both the Congress and the BJP. There has to be an acceptable solution keeping the choice of the parents to educate their siblings in the language of their choice. The Regional Plan, the SEZ issue and other burning issues will have to be looked into deeply or the people of Goa will have no choice left but to sit and see the coconut tree goes into extinction along with the identity of Goa.
(The author is a Competency Assessor with a leading Petroleum Organization and a lover of Goa concerned about its welfare)
