With the summer heat descending in Goa post "Mahashivratri" end of the cold season--- during the days , and dawn witnessing an unexpected chill and dew, there are threats of seismic tremors, a repeat Tsunami both at sea and in politics, students in XII & SSC and later Arts Science Commerce faculties facing the term end examinations and an uncertainty of the Central Entrance Test exams following Supreme Court directives for students desirous of admission to the professional colleges --
Goa and Goans are in for an unwarranted flux situation following the untimely mid term "abortion of the Parrikar Government" The Zilla Panchayat elections just concluded has the INC politicians rejoicing that the ground swell in majority of the total 50 seats (30 in North and 20 in South) has gone in their favour much to the chagrin of the BJP --but this does not seem, genuine analysis as in many of the constituencies which have a triangular or more contestants, have together polled much more votes than the winning candidates -- of either the BJP or the INC backed candidates and therefore merely satisfies the "first past the post principle". But despite this the INC MLAs dread to face a fresh Assembly elections though the masses in Goa opt for fresh elections and not bye elections to the six seats (except Mormugao Parliamentary Constituency MP Mr Churchill Alemao who is a votary for fresh elections in the State). According to some sources that this writer spoke to in New Delhi and in the capital Panaji late this evening -- there is an apprehension that some political fallouts of the Jarkhand and Goa issue is expected besides Bihar. There are unconfirmed reports that there may be a Union Cabinet expansion now that the Vote of Acount has been passed by the Lok Sabha , Presidents rule ratified for Goa and Bihar besides a small reshuffle of portfolios involving among some others Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mr Ram Vilas Paswan one surrendering the Railway Ministry as a quid pro quo for the Chief Ministership of the State of Bihar . The Governor of Goa Mr S C Jamir who is currently out of the State for a week and the Governor of Jarkhand Mr Sibtey Razi may be replaced and taken in the Union Cabinet, with replacements to fill their vacancies, during the Holy Week (observed by Christians). The BJP in Goa has nothing to lose thus far because they expect a Tsunami of another kind this time infighting within the United Legislators Party (INC NCP and MGP besides the newly "christened" ex MLAs ) a) when it comes to elections for Heads of Zilla Panchayats North and South Goa expected next week b) and allotment of party tickets to candidates for the Benaulim. Poinguinim Margao Velim seats in South Goa and Taleigao Cumbarjua if the bye elections are held (the tentative date is on 15th May, 2005 ) But the " hate Parrikar " phobia does not seem to have faded away yet in the commercial city of Margao. At a well attended meet this evening at the Our Lady of Grace Church Hall 21 citizens passed a resolution drafted by the "Nitoll Jinn" (Clean Life) Trust" headed by Mr Arvind Bhatikar IAS (retd) ex Chairman of Mormugao Port Trust, Mr Uday L Bhemmbre (Advocate) Dr Francisco Colaco eminent Cardiologist Mr Bernard Souza Advocate Mr Datta D Naik Builder Mr Jose Maria Miranda demanding that the Governor of Goa Mr S C Jamir take up issues of corruption and communal acts IFFI works Khareband and Mungul bridges, EDC ODI scam Pendse report undetected murders Ms Cynthia etc the Miramar Sex scandal burning of the Masjid, renaming of roads, vandalism at the "Paco Patriacal" during the Parrikar regime. Ironically while the speakers claimed that the "Nitol Jin" is apolitical and does not owe alleigence to either the INC or the BJP their tirade was directed towards the BJP MLA's and their four year rule and their lone supporter the UGDP MLA Mr Mathany Saldhana while they commended the action (resignation of) Mr Digamber Kamat MLA Margao Another speaker Mr N (Naik) Shivdas of Ponda a teacher created a mild flutter when he stated that it was only the Catholic Community that brought in the BJP to Goa referring to Dr Wilfred De Souza and Mr Francisco Fernandes --- but he failed to castigate the leaders of the Maharastra Gomantak Party ( Lion symbol) who in fact were the first to allow the Lotus (BJP) to mount their Lion and allow its annihlation despite the party having a tolerably high vote bank in the New Conquests till date and an MLA in power. The Nitoll Jinn apprehends an undercurrent of fear of re-emergence of Mr Parrikar ----who Mr Datta Naik one of the trustees in his own words admitted to be a good friend and had supported him initally to give Goa a clean administration but became disillusioned for some "obvious reasons " later though now it is communalism card that is being played in the Velhas Conquistas. The repeated demand for plugging of loopholes in the Right to Information Act and the need to re-cast it making information on governance available on the net was made by speakers besides Advocate Mr Uday Bhembre-- but this has been a demand at an earlier meeting as well -- why cant the Advocates themselves bring amendments to plug the loopholes and present it to the Government one wonders-- why only that say some --- if the Nitol Jin advocates themselves could plug all the loop holes in atleast the laws affecting the citizens they could have played an yeomen service in alleviating the difficulties of the citizens. Mere rhetoric with a political bias can only be music to the disgruntled citizen -- but what is need is action. The Chief Guest of the evening Mr Manoj Bandodkar an office bearer of the Goa Cricket Association (post scam period) agreed with the speakers when they said that " we need to pursue our goals to minimise corruption and shun communalism" but about getting the public on the streets is wishful thinking he said. The fear of the Nitol Jinn apparently is the emergence of a new daily in Marathi to be launched on the auspices ocassion of "Gudi Padva" by the BJP whic will be a mouth piece of the BJP And while this is the political situation in Goa the Governor's visit to Mayem village Bicholim Taluka ( mining belt ) in the Novas Conquests has raised eye brows among party man and citizens as well. The entire visit was managed ---sumptuos lunch and other itinery as well by Mr Samir Salgaocar the son of the Mr Anil Salgaocar mine owner, and River Princess fame(apparently eyeing the Mayem seat) and a recent entrant in the INC whose presence was felt at Poinguininm bye elections and the recent political turmoil since 27th January, 2005. At the time when mine owners are reeling under the uncertainity of operations --SC order for not obtaining the environment clearance (now stayed) this visit could have been an independent tour not at the behest of a mine owner. The advertisements in the local newspapers by Mr Salgaocar thanking His Excellency for the courtesy visit is yet another instance of the Governor apparently kow towing his alma mater the INC and is in bad taste. Meanwhile Mr Parrikars support and threat take to streets come Monday if the thousand odd candidates selected under the PET scheme Pre employment training scheme who are likely to be terminated end financial year and only those that qualify for vacancies will be absorbed ---are not continued has won the sympathy for Parrikar from the unemployed youth. Legally speaking the PET has a strict condition that while training is on there is no pre condition of employment and hence it is a political move by the BJP merely to offset the Governors directive and the INCs view to review the continuance of this and the Cyberage scheme which have ironically found support from all and sundry. GODFREY J I GONSALVES Borda Margao Goa [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony