USUALLY byelections do not evoke highly enthusiastic response from the voters but the five assembly segments in Goa which went to the polls recorded 67 per cent of voting on an average. A comparison of the votes polled in the byelection to those in 2002 general election will reveal that the voters were not at all disillusioned with the recent political developments; instead they voted for a new beginning. In 2002 around 66.77 per cent voters exercised their right in Taleigao, which marginally came down to 62.27 percent this time. Of all the five constituencies, Cumbharjua witnessed an increase of 5.5 per cent from 64.34% in 2002 to 70.43 %. In Benaulim it witnessed a decline of 3 per cent from 67.36% to 64.32%. Margao has succeeded to maintain a virtual status quo: 54.82% in 2002 and 53.18% this time. But the voters registered their protest in Poinguinim: a decline of 3 per cent, from 77.04% in 2002 to 73.98 per cent.
And what was really of interest was that members of urban middle class which has got into the habit of lamenting at the decline of the political morality after a long time descended on the polling booth, particularly in the Taleigao assembly constituency, to exercise their franchise. So far our electoral system does not have the provision for negative vote, one must assume that these people should have voted for one of the candidates in the fray. There is certainly no reason to read much in this, but it is certain that the voting percentage is the indicator that the electorate want a performing representative; a person who can bring development, make the lives of the people better. Politically the two major political parties have every reason to feel happy, as the voting pattern did not indicate much fluctuation.
Nevertheless whichever party wins most of the seats and forms the government will not only have to face arduous challenges but redraw its priorities. Notwithstanding the fact that Goa is placed among highly developed states, the fact remains that the economic development has failed to take place at the unrestrained and desired pace. Increase in migration and rising graph of unemployed people are two major indices of the retarding growth. The the electoral promises of parties that would dole out unemployment allowances to these youths is a clear manifestation that the state government has miserably failed to evolve a concrete policy to tackle the unemployment problem; the planners, policy makers have not been concerned of the emerging scene. The new government will have to take the challenge head on.
A closer look at the style and approach of the political and leaders will also make it clear that they were more concerned over hastening up the process of urbanisation. In fact some of them seem to believe that Goa does not have rural areas and are least bothered about the rural areas, the primary sector. This has had an adverse impact on agriculture, which has been witnessing a consistent decline. The rural people are forced to migrate to the urban areas in search of a better living. Though the government claimed that it has been promoting horticulture, floriculture and other type of agricultural activities, the political executives, the planners and policy makers cannot deny that they have pretty little to induce the farmers to take to cash-crop. Still today the bulk of the vegetable comes from neighbouring states. And ironically this has been happening in a state one of whose important sectors of economy has been tourism for a long time.
While the hospitality sector has been dependent on other states for its material supply, it has also to look towards other states for human resources. The governments have been simply indulging in gimmickry in the name of developing backward linkages and creating human resources. In fact the lack of basic infrastructure to sustain economic development is still there. For hosting IFFI, the state government spent nearly Rs 120 crore for creating infrastructure; it is another matter the next IFFI will be held here or not; but no one deny that this has gone waste as it could not lay down a strong foundation. The multiplex seems economically not viable, as the two other segments of the constructions, Mall and Recreation Centre, have not come up. If at all the new government really intend to make use of the existing facility it would have to immediately go for completing the infrastructure. One hopes that the next government will take the IFFI infrastructure as a fait accompli and build upon it through backward linkages. In short, the future of Goa should become the central question, not the future of a party or person in power.
Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter is moderated by AlmeidaG(ji) since 1994, and presented by Ulysses Menezes, owner of http://www.goa-world.com website. Any and all postings from Goans are welcomed - be it a Goan business enterprise, a Goan event/programme of cultural heritage, or of a personal nature. This first of its kind Gulf-Goans e-newsletter is dedicated to Goans around the Globe. http://www.goa-world.com/ Team and founders are always the first to get you in the limelight - in the field of sports, politics, social, cultural, educational, other actitivity(ies) or to the benefit of Goans and Goa via its news services from professional journalists and supporters based in Gulf countries and as far as the Americas. Thanks for the support to Goa and Goans.
Random Thought:
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~David Frost~
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