To Goanet -
The daylight looting of the state treasury continues - I hear that 20% is
now the 'official' bribe rate. Neither of the two major parties considers
corruption an electoral issue.
The question may be asked: when the executive arm is this corrupt, what are
the checks available in a democracy to hold them to account? You may say,
the judiciary. The sound you just heard is Narvekar and Madkaikar laughing
their a** off.
What we have today in Goa (and the rest of India) is the farce of democracy.
And this country is going to be the next superpower? Ha ha ha. The
Indian's penchant for braggadocio is complemented well by his delusions.
But corruption in financial matters is not the biggest stake in the heart of
democracy in Goa. That honour goes to the alarming amount of ration card
and voter fraud, growing rapidly by the year. It is a cinch for the ghati
who has been on Goan soil for less than a week to get a voter card whereas a
Niz Goemkar has to jump through hoops for the same. I suspect the
contractors who supply the migrant labour are in the direct employ of a few
of our politicos.
Some Goan politicians have grasped well the nuances of electoral arithmetic
for a small place like ours - a meagre 1000 votes can swing the results one
way or the other. How can you ensure 1000 votes for yourself? Sign up
ghatis fast and quick, and promise a slum. The constituencies where the
ghati vote is already decisive are Taleigao (Monserrate), Margao (Digu), St
Cruz (Victoria) and Sancoale (Godhinho). With every election that number
will scale up until you the Goan will be left with no more than your casti.
If a full investigation and reversal of voter fraud are not undertaken
immediately the Goans will have to sit on the margins. As I have already
asked, you want to save Goa - for whom? For the ghatis? For the uncouth,
uncultured rich Indians who covet your land? For the shirtless white trash
crowding your coastal streets?
Warm regards,
r
