Vishwajit Rane's Waning Credibility: A Lack of Trust Among Goans – By Nisser Dias

In the eyes of many Goans, Vishwajit Rane has long appeared to be a hollow figure. He fancies himself as astute, often attempting to navigate the realm of political manoeuvring, only to hit a wall when his hidden agendas are exposed.

Vishwajit further diminishes himself by repeatedly declaring unwavering support for the public, vowing never to go against their wishes. Unfortunately, these promises have become tiresome refrains, only echoing when his questionable intentions are laid bare by the people.

In 2019, he made a unilateral decision to bring an IIT to Shel-Melauli in his constituency, on a sprawling 10 lakh sq. meters of land. However, when the local populace caught wind of this plan, they assembled in large numbers at the site, driving the surveyors away.

Rane infamously stated, "Opposition from the people cannot stop 'IIT' at Sattari; IIT is a feather in the cap of Goa." He then deployed a significant police force, led by his loyal police officer, Sagar Ekoskar, to accompany the surveyors. When the residents stood their ground, the situation escalated into a lathi charge by the police, met with retaliation from villagers hurling stones. Rane even sent police to disrupt a press conference held at a temple by leaders of the protest, going as far as to detain an elderly individual.

As the protest garnered support from neighbouring villages like Pali, Hivrem, Mauxi, Dhamshe, and Khotodem, Rane realized that his bluff had been called by the people. He swiftly changed his stance and requested the relocation of the IIT project, stating, "I am with the public, and I will never go against the wishes of the people."

Similar events unfolded regarding the draft zoning plan for Pernem, where Rane attempted to convert 21% of the green cover into a concrete jungle in the name of development. When the people of Pernem rose against this proposal, the Town and Country Planning minister had to sprint with his tail between his legs.

To save face, Rane initially claimed that the plan would be put on hold, awaiting a decision from the central government. However, as public pressure mounted, he reluctantly scrapped the plan entirely, all the while repeating his familiar refrain, "I am with the public, and I will never go against the wishes of the people."

The glaring question is why the people were not consulted from the outset. The answer is all too apparent; Vishwajit Rane was primarily focused on his own interests and those of his well-connected land developer friends.

The rejection of Rane's development projects by his constituents in Shel-Melauli and the people of Pernem signifies a severe erosion of his credibility among Goans. Notably, the late Manohar Parrikar, an autocratic former Chief Minister of Goa, exposed Rane's questionable intentions on multiple occasions during his time in opposition.

For instance, Rane sought to hand over a substantial portion of Goa Medical College (GMC) land to Israelis for a super-specialty hospital. Parrikar's scrutiny led to the project's cancellation.

Another pattern observed in the Shel-Melauli and Pernem incidents is Rane's tendency to scapegoat others to push through his projects. In Shel-Melauli, he accused an individual of encroaching on government land, blaming them for the project's opposition, and promising to reclaim the encroached land. Whether Rane fulfilled this promise remains uncertain.

In the case of Pernem's draft zoning plan, he accused Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar of building an illegal farmhouse and pledged action against it, yet the outcome remains to be seen.

Now, Rane appears to be outsourcing governance to the Centre, bringing in high-ranking figures from Delhi, such as Modi and Shah, rather than heeding the concerns of the local people. This raises questions about the role of the Goa government, Vishwajit Rane's purpose in government, and why Goans should accept the central leadership dictating terms.

If Vishwajit Rane cannot fulfill his elected role of serving the people, it is time for him to consider resigning as a minister and MLA, and perhaps retiring from politics altogether.

Mauvin Godinho is the biggest beneficiary of “Extra Democracy” -- By Nisser Dias

Mauvin Godinho's assertion that Goa has an "Extra Democracy" appears to be rooted in an attitude of arrogance and superiority. He even went so far as to draw a parallel with China, implying a desire for absolute power. Such comparisons to China's communist government suggest a concerning aspiration for unchecked authority.

It is essential to remember that democracy, as defined by the 16th American President Abraham Lincoln, is "Government of the people, by the people, for the people." Mauvin's comments were aimed at the people who were voicing objections to various government projects that seemed to run counter to the wishes of the Goan populace. These frustrations are understandable, given that many of these projects often prioritize the interests of those in power over the well-being of the Goan citizens.

However, it is ironic that Mauvin Godinho himself is arguably the biggest beneficiary of this so-called "Extra Democracy." In 1998, he faced allegations of corruption when he served as the power minister in the Congress government, accused of involvement in a power rebate scam amounting to Rs. 4.52 crore. Despite these allegations, he was not only allowed to join the BJP but also became a minister within the same party. This raises questions about the true nature of democracy, as such preferential treatment appears to be a case of "Extra Democracy."

Furthermore, the fact that the charges against him were eventually reduced to just the power rebate scam highlights the issue of "Extra Democracy" even further. The ongoing criminal trial after 25 years also raises concerns about the efficiency and fairness of the government.

Mauvin Godinho has consistently been elected from Cortalim and Dabolim constituencies. During his tenure, the Sancoale communidade has seen the encroachment of migrants, which suggests political involvement and patronage. It is widely known that Mauvin prioritizes his significant migrant vote bank over the concerns of Goan citizens, further illustrating the concept of "Extra Democracy" from which he has benefited.

Nonetheless, it is crucial for Mauvin Godinho to remember the essence of true democracy. Democracy revolves around empowering the people as the ultimate decision-makers. Over time, it has evolved to encompass principles such as equality, political accountability, citizens' rights, and, to some extent, the values of liberty and justice.

In a democracy, the ultimate authority to deliberate and determine the country's legislation rests with the people, either directly or through their elected representatives. Thus, criticizing activists and NGOs for raising their voices against projects that are detrimental to the people or the environment and pushing the government to reconsider destructive initiatives is not an "Extra Democracy" but a fundamental right.

On the other hand, it is unfortunate that India's democratic values have been eroding since 2014, when the BJP government assumed power. Challenges to freedom of speech, minority rights, increased pressure on human rights groups, intimidation of journalists and activists, and a surge in attacks against minorities, particularly Muslims, have all contributed to a decline in political and civil liberties. This shift has intensified the discussion about the preservation of democracy and its core principles in public discourse.