Politicians -- in Goa have reached disgraceful levels. Not content with seeing themselves on the print and visual media they have now started using religious functions as well.
What has irked the well meaning people of Margao is the felicitation of Mr Digamber Kamat INC MLA of Margao (who won by a measely margin of 1340 odd votes (the website goagovt.nic.in - link of Goa Legislative Assembly gives a wrong figure) despite being a four term MLA against a 27 year old novice ) at the hands of Chief Minister Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane ---at a "Sarvajanik (Community) Ganeshostav Mandal - Colmorod Margao ----on 11th September, 2005 This is a total misuse of a religious and cultural celebrations intended to promote charitable social and community affairs -- surely not a political celebration. What was also surprising is that the Chairperson of Margao Municipal Council the first citizen of this city Ms Dorris Texeira graced the ocassion with another Councillor in tow Mr Savio Coutinho. Mr Kamat had developed a penchant for giving a religious touch to all that he does. Earlier he earned the sobriquet "NAAL KAMAT" while hobnobbing with the BJP breaking a coconut inaugurating road asphalting works, installing high mast lamps etc; Now he prefers to carry this practice even in the Indian National Congress; and perhaps set a precedent. Not only this, he has come out a pocket size booklet with the name of GOA PRADESH CONGRESS and the image of Lord Ganesha printed on the front cover with his message and photograph inside carrying "arti sangraha" Are you listening Mr Ravi Sitaram Naik MLA Ponda and President Goa Pradesh Congress Committee? There is no doubt that Digambers popularity is dwindling ever since the "suffocating" theory propped by him to betray and defect from the BJP. Unfortunately his dream to be the Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister has been dashed to the ground. Knowing that he has to turn the apple cart before May 2007 or in the event a midterm poll is announced after the IFFI he is trying to hold woo the electorate of Margao ---- with "brain storming" or washing sessions with lunch dinner all found at the drop of a hat and this Ganesh Chathurti was one such ocassion. Surprisingly Mr Rane did not realise that this was setting a bad precedent. Anyway it is clear that Mr Kamat days are on the wane, and no matter what he does he will slowly but surely fade into oblivion It is time politicians stand forewarned not to mix RELIGION WITH POLITICS GODFREY J I GONSALVES Borda Margao Goa [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your partner now. Go to http://yahoo.shaadi.com