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International Cuisine Conference on Traditional Asian Diet
Panaji, Goa, September 2-5, 2007 - http://www.indologygoa.in
Online Media Partner: http://www.goanet.org
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Goa's CM Mr Digamber Kamat will at the stroke of
midnight usher in the 60th Independence Day with an
address to the State with Governor S C Jamir in tow
according to an official of a private cable network
who spoke to this writer.
Mr Kamat however has reason to rejoice after the bouts
of nightmares he suffered ever since 8th June, 2007 -
when he was owing to "divine blessings" as he himself
admits catapulted him to the Chief Ministerial seat.
Netizens will recall that despite the emotive campaign
to "save Goa" a war cry of all political parties in
the fray in the 2nd June, 2007 elections to elect the
MLA's to the fifth Goa Legislative Assembly the voters
DID NOT GIVE ANY POLITICAL PARTY THE MANDATE TO RULE
THE STATE.
The figures were INC + NCP combine pre-electoral
allies 16+3 BJP 14 MGP 2 UGDP 1 Save Goa Front 2 and
Independents 2.
Obviuously in such a situation one would have expected
to have Presidents rule and fresh elections after an
year.
Unfortunately this was not to be. In an era of
coalition politics ever since Mr. Deve Gowda became
the first PM to head the coalition Government post
poll- elected representatives are forced to
strategically work out PERMUTATIONS and COMBINATIONS
post elections to clobber a working majority. To and
to grant it sanctity to rule such combinations (which
shows scant respect to electoral verdict of the
electorate by the ballot our now EVM's ) work out a
COMMON MINIMUM PROGRAMME to last the five year term --
which is devoid of individual party ideologies .
Goa witnessed a taste of this PERMUTATION AND
COMBINATIONS since 26th July 2007 when the first one
formed with INC+NCP+MGP+Ind besides Ind+SGF+UGDP
which extended it "unsolicited support" was given the
key to the TREASURY benches, leaving the BJP in the
Opposition.
But those who extended "unsolicited support" did not
take kindly the neglect by the INC+NCP led coalition.
It was also shocking that the INC+NCP combine who had
to face an electoral battle with the MGP UGDP SGF Ind
besides its natural opponent the BJP had preferred MGP
to the UGDP SGF, one Independent and this storked the
flames of revolt witnessed since 26th July, 2007.
There was no iota of doubt that the renegade son of Mr
Pratapsing Raoji Rane viz Mr Vishwajit Raoji Rane who
easily was the rebel candidate was rewarded by a
cabinet berth by the same Party that he quit. This
was a quid proqua deal with MGP brothers being
favoured instead of the UGDP SGF .
The victim of this cabinet berth (now restricted to
twelve) was Ms Victoria Fernandes the lone woman MLA
representing Santa Cruz for the 4th term.
Therfore on 26th July 2007 when the MGP withdrew
support the INC+NCP coalition realised their folly.
The new permutations and combinations were worked out
and the BJP 14 MGP 2 UGDP 1 SGF 2 and Ind 1 and to add
to their numbers one INC the lone women resigned
reducing the House to 39 members.
Calling itself the Goa Democratic Alliance the new
permutation and combination aware of the stigma
attached to itself for forming a government with the
BJP got down to business and chalked a COMMON MINIMUM
PROGRAMME with a tacit understanding with the BJP that
it would lie low on its ideology -- rightwing
fundamentalism -- (only Mr Manohar Parrikar is its
ideologue -- none of the other 13 are wedded to
BJP/RSS ideology but they have opted for the BJP only
because they found the MGP "dead" and the INC would
not take them)
The INC+NCP combination however played a game of
iterim disqualification and prevented the MGP combine
from voting in the crucial budget session-- in short
it had followed all means devoid of legal sanctity to
pass the crucial budget --- even as a reluctant
Governor Mr S C Jamir had to merely "toe his political
party line" and save his Government. This was a great
blot on the part of the Governor -- even though he was
hailed for his action on 2nd February, 2005.
With the majority of the members of the GDA seeking
redressal from the President --- not much could be
expected as she is a INC woman and therefore the only
option was the highest court of the land the Supreme
Court. But the damage was already done -- the INC NCP
combine despite its minority status in the House got
the budget "passed".. This was the last straw on the
camels back. With that the "minority Government" was
flush with funds and they could now dole out largesse
to avoid the defections of potential candidates MLA's
who could be coaxed and cajoled to resign and
recontest on party ticket of the poaching side of all
parties, to clobber a majority to rule.
The GDA alliance were frustrated with the long drawn
legal battle and the pushed against the wall with a
pliant President of India and a Governor who sent a
report sans recommendation.
The result home coming worked and the INC NCP combine
realised it was easier to go along with the UGDP SGF
combine as the Ponda MLA and CM in waiting Mr Ravi
Naik did not take kindly to the Dhavlikar brother of
the MGP being rewarded yet again with the PWD
portfolio the "bone of contention" of the two.
Today's induction of Mr Alemao of the SGF as a
Minister with possibly the PWD portfolio and a minor
reshuffle by CM to award the third portfolio to his
cabinet colleagues will be finalised.
Mr Monseratte may have the seat of Santa Cruz as a
gift to his wife Ms Jeniffer Monseratte as a reward
for home coming and not demanding a Cabinet portfolio.
This however depends on the outcome of legal battles
of the lone women now easily a sobbing victim of
political machinations of the UGDP and SGF.
As of now it is clear that the BJP will rest in the
Opposition along with the MGP Ind and the INC NCP UGDP
SGF Independent government will rule the state.
However that there will be dissensions within the
ruling is no doubt and it is now to be seen whether
the SGF will stick to his seven point agenda
recognition for Konkani in Roman script - no to MOPA
--no to SEZ's --no to six lane road expressways or --
do a volte face.
from the Cavelossim Mobor end
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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