"What use is development (referring to tremendous speedy development during the BJP coalition rule from 24.10.2000 to 2nd February, 2005 ) if a Hindu Catholic and Muslim cannot walk hand in? " --- this was the view of Mr. Adolf Fernandes, a 65 year old toddy tapper originally from Betul in Salcete who now works in Ponda, when this writer had a tete a tete - with him at the Ponda Bus stand this morning, in view of the first anniversary of the Congress led coalition in the State.
"They only speak of the language of loot and threats to destabilise the Government --- they have no shame" (referring to the Congress-I and the NCP MLAs' (who were deprived of power from 24.10.2000 to 2.2.2005)" atleast -they- were stable" says Ms Asha Parab a fisherwomen from Banastarim referring to the BJP coalition. "But both are useless ---BJP (Bhajap) used our votes but only "they" benefitted "-- and then she points to the "sacred thread" referring apparently to the Brahmin Hindus. "They are all the same" she chided Bajap" BJP "Konge" Congress "Godial" NCP kai "shiv" MGP anik konn ha? In the bus enroute Old Goa (to collect my complementary copy gifted by Fr Mariano Gomes of the "Povitr Pustok") I sit near Mr V Dalvi a septugenarian landowner from Priol. He says that BJP rule was a party with a mission -- look at the development works Banastarim bridge etc in such short span Goa got a face lift -- and these? -- they are all wolves in sheep clothes --- just amass wealth -- look at that "porr" referring to the Cumbarjua MLA he has become a realtor -- "kuimche poixe?"-- and points out to the apartments and chunks of land at Madkai and Old Goa he believes belongs to Mr Pandurang Madkaikar---MLA. "Look at that war intra party- Mr Churchill and Mr Jeetendra anik Luisinho " "Mr Babush "peto" ani "Mummy" then "to Redo-- "Micky Pacheco" anik Doutor " Mr Ravi Naik barwalo /motorcycol pilot" ani amcho "Bhata" Mr Sudin Dhavlikar --- they are all fighting with each other -- anik rajkaran choloitole?? fotting lok "-- they have spoiled the name of Goa --- anik "bhaile faido ghetat-Amcho Parrikar ietolo polloi tumi "-- On the Curchorem riots he says " te moir Bhatkal ani Kashmiri -Goenchem raj kortole poloi?" he mentions the influx of Moslems in Ponda the Masjids that are sprouting up-- I mention the numerous saffron "ghumties" on the road side and the temples -- he agrees it is a racket and says ALL crosses ghumtis must be demolished. On the welfare schemes -- yes he says it is Parrikar who showed the way --- the Congress had to follow and improve upon it and they did it now with bicycles OK but "to die on narrow roads? -- and "text books free" -- why should the rich be given free books? to allow our children see the photograph of Mr Subhash Shirodkar MLA Shiroda on them --- "to konn? dev"? soglem, chorancho raj". See all development work has stopped ??? and nothing coming out --- garbage all over traffic chaos land grab influx of migrants -- "khuim pavlam Goem"? This was "vox populi" on the first aniversary 7.6.2005 to 7.6.2006) of the Congress led coalition in the State. But a look at the months ---not, year ahead -- its election time, any time, post monsoons -- true -- but can the Mr Ravi Sitaram Naik MLA Ponda & GPCC President and CM Pratapsing Raoji Rane lead the party to victory in the forthcoming elections? Take a look at the political scenario as of date. The United Progressive Alliance stepped into its third year in office since 24 May 2006, the BJP has suffered and is suffering its the worst downfall in its popularity graph, and will remain at that for some more time thanks to the notoriety and misdeeds of Rahul Mahajan the progeny (son) of late Mr Pramod Mahajan the GENext PM in waiting of the BJP. While the other Baba Rahul Gandhi M Phil MP Amethi won Mama Sonia Gandhi her bye-election from Rae Bareily in UP registering an impressive win. Now there is a birthday gift coming on 19th June 2006 when Baba Rahul completes his 36th birthday, which means simply by May 2009 if not earlier he will be next PM. But such nightmares have been haunting Mr Sharad Pawar NCP chief too and he knows too well that with Baba Rahul inching to Prime Ministerial seat his life long ambition to be PM from MP will be shattered --- so will the NCP not go in for a hard bargain of more seats to improve their numbers? Thats what the coalition partners in Goa believe. Dr Willie is keen to increase his tally of two seats in power to more ---on the other with the BJP in the State at its lowest -- Mr Parrikar's ( Monday press briefings have stopped ) and the new incoming BJP chief is due. The MGP believes it can go alone and contest and win all seats --- how will they make it in Catholic dominant Salcete ? is unclear -- Tenancy and Mundkar rights were their gift to even Cristaos in Velhas Conquistas but will that turn a vote for them now ??? it is sheer wishful thinking in Salcete Bardez Tiswadi constituencies. With veteran Congressmen hardly talking of making way for GenNext the young blood needs to 'PUSH OVER' the veterans and this sounds the warning bell for the things to come in election year. Therefore with poll preparedness there are issues a) MOPA v/s DABOLIM (now subsidised) b) WASTE MANAGEMENT (garbage disposal matters) c) LAND GRAB ( the great Indian hunt for land in Goa is on) d) IT/SOFTWARE/BIO TECH/FOOD PARK -- on the anvil but to benefit whom? e) KONKANI IN ROMAN SCRIPT -- now or never f) REGIONAL PARTY V/s NATIONAL PARTY -- which is best? g) RESERVATION IN PRIVATE FIRMS? h) FUEL PRICE HIKE & ITS REPERCUSSIONs? i) SAFEGUARDING REMANANTS OF COMMUNIDADES "GAUNKARIES" and finally GOEM KONNACHEM -- GOENKARACHEM VO BHAILE LOKACHEM ? But all this notwithstanding as the aniversary celebrations go on tonight ---all eyes are on Mr Antanasio Babush Monserate -- the Taleigao Don ---the men who means business --now that he is in the thick of politics --and a man who believes that he is the incarnation of God on earth to change the face of Goa to its pristine glory. He has the vision the money the dynamism and above all the credibility to promise and GUARANTEE what he promises unlike others. The Government has yet NOT approved or notified the Regional Plan 2011 no questions asked why. With every prospective MLA in the constituencies --all forty --because Babush promises to contest all 40 seats and atleast win 30 for the Congress as per his first game plan subnitted for the NOD of the HIGH PRIESTESS Madam Sonia Gandhi . He has allowed prospective MLA's to "inherit" chunks of real estate --apparently --meaning convert settlement into commercial zone etc etc as per the Regional Plan 2001 and fill their war chest for the electoral battle for doomsday. Therefore as far as the CM (read common man ) is concerned one has to just keep their fingers crossed and await divine intervention to save our tiny GOA. One indication is clear -- young blood will come to fore and regionalism may surface. watch out from now on from the PONDA/OLD GOA end godfrey j i gonsalves borda margao goa 9822158584 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Send instant messages to your online friends http://in.messenger.yahoo.com <br><br> Stay connected with your friends even when away from PC. Link: http://in.mobile.yahoo.com/new/messenger/ _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
