On Tue, 9 Mar 2004, Mervyn Lobo wrote: > As far as curruption in Goa is concerned, only the > residents there can get rid of currupt politicians. It > amazes me that every time I go to (and especially > south) Goa, everyone shouts that the representatives > are criminals. Yet these very same people get VOTED > into office again and again.
Who decides? ----------- In theory, it is the 9,32,439 registered voters who are going to decide the two names that represent Goa in the Lok Sabha. In reality, it is the egos and agendas of a handful of key power-brokers that will say how things shape up. Therefore, political decisions in the state need to be taken with both transparency and accountability -- not behind closed doors, by small coteries, and in a manner that keeps everyone guessing what the real agenda is. Our political scenario today is a cross between a chaotic marketplace, and a crashing stock-market where each broker wants to make the most. Take the UGDP. It has no pretensions about being able to win any one of the two Lok Sabha seats; neither does it have any "national-level" perspective. In recent times, its role has been largely one of mopping up support in the minority Catholic segments and gain anti-Congress, anti-incumbent votes. For the BJP, this is a god-send. Parties like the UGDP can at least block the Congress from winning a few critical seats in areas which the BJP could never dream of conquering, thanks to the latter's self-defined brand image. Then there are parties like the CPI, which while being more principled in making its presence felt at every election (though not in every seat), have made the contesting of the elections little more than a ritual in which they're sure to lose. After a whole lot of noisy promises, the so-called 'Secular Front' in Goa threatens to come unstuck. Will it get derailed even before getting started? It could, thanks to the badly cross-purposed plans of its self-declared leaders and short-sighted visionaries. Those trying to broker this political marriage seem to now realise that transferring all Congress votes to the MGP in North Goa would be an uphill struggle, thanks to the political ghosts of the past. If Goa is to belatedly move away from communally-polarised politics, then it probably makes sense to see not just Hindus and Christians but Muslims too jointly negotiate political space, minus the mistrust that sees each other like an alien enemy from Mars. This reality apart, the enthusiasm of politicians like ex-CM Pratapsing Rane in reportedly pushing for giving the North Goa seat to the MGP is also suspect. This is already being read in various ways -- from not wanting to antagonise a chief minister he hardly effectively opposed as the Leader of the Opposition... to not wanting to take on responsibility for a likely Congress defeat. At the end of the day, all politicians appreciate that the election result would depend largely on that much talked-of 'index of Opposition unity', which the BJP has so far worked smartly to its advantage. But all our politicians are clear: they want unity on their own terms. If not, a lost seat is preferable. Veteran editor Vinod Mehta puts its realistically when he says: "There are millions in this country who passionately support the Congress and reluctantly put up with its present leader. They support the party's sane, decent, inclusive vision: a plural, secular, non-communal, non-casteist India committed to rescuing the 400-million citizens of our republic who are clearly not 'shining' because they do not know where their next meal is coming from. However, when I see the durbar around Sonia, when I see the combination of terror and awe on their faces as they approach her... I am not surprised that the Congress has fallen hook, line and sinker for the trap laid out by Messrs Mahajan, Venkaiah and Jaitley." We need not blame Soniaji alone; look what's happened to the party leadership in Goa too. For the BJP, known to play by its wits at every election, this is not just another election. On these results depend the image of BJP's "grip" over Goa, the future of the Parrikar government, and even the long-term fate of the BJP in Goa. Finally, the game of electoral 'chess' that has been played with increasing cynicism of late -- a weak candidate against a Dr de Souza, someone propped up to topple Victoria "Mummy" Fernandes, you-help-me-and-I-help-you deals, and more... -- are going to turn even more critical. The electorate has many reasons to be watchful. FN ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################