Fifty years ago, Goans freed themselves from
the clutches of those who shamelessly wanted to turn this land of ours into a
colony of Maharashtra. Yet, vestiges of this slave mentality remained and keep
cropping up regularly by raising the bogey of Marathi as official language,
which it undeservedly nearly is, and by attempting to destroy Goa’s unique
identity and character.
Today, all that we valiantly fought for is steadily
sought to be erased and the verdict indirectly reversed by language fanatics
and crooked politicians and parties who wish to build vote banks and minimize
the influence of the Goan vote. Mopa, Regional Plan and many projects in pipeline,
besides being dangerously oblivious of serious ecological and environmental
damage are aimed at increasing the influx of non-Goans, destroying our
traditional occupations and communities. While the Government boasts that these
are meant to create jobs, there is no improvement in unemployment among locals
and the exodus of Goans is on the rise. We are on the threshold of another
referendum on whether we should allow destruction to continue in the name of
development and whether we should permit our culture, our identity, our very
existence as Goans be diluted or wiped off with anti-Goa and anti-Goans
policies of successive Governments.
Unfortunately, we are left with the choice mostly of tested unreliable
political parties and a multitude of unscrupulous politicians in the fray.
The need of the hour was to save Goa from the
present incumbents who have dished out poor, authoritarian and destructive
governance in total disregard of people’s views, interests and concerns. A
golden opportunity came our way with split in their ranks. Nitish Kumar &
Laloo came together to drive out the common enemy, but politicians in Goa could
not emulate them and make small compromises and sacrifices for the sake of Goa.
It was too much to expect from them. Hopefully, Goans will teach them a lesson
for sacrificing Goa at the altar of their individual egos and self-interest.
Greedy politicians, who keep jumping from one party to another, even with more
ease than monkeys do, must be made to lose their deposits and the taste of another
election.
We face a bigger dilemma than we did last
time when people were swayed by promises of good governance and zero tolerance
to corruption. We learnt our lessons with promises broken, U turns, corruption
and above all despotic and nepotistic governance. This Government has proved
that it does not care for people’s sentiments and interests and that it will go
ahead in doing whatever it wants. Some of their attempts have been stalled by
the Courts, but we cannot afford such costly adventures. If democracy and
people’s will have to prevail, this Govt. has to go.
Major parties and some smaller ones no longer
or never deserved our trust.
AAP‘s entry gave us at least a choice, though
not assuredly the best. Its steps to end corruption, initiatives on education
and health, rebates on electricity bills, free water, etc in Delhi and
assurances of a manifesto based on people’s views and choices captured the
attention and support of those, like me, disgusted with a system that refused
to show signs of improvement. With a clean sheet on corruption, it was the only
Party that could take on the Centre’s dictatorial and unacceptable ways. BJP’s
constant attacks on AAP stalwarts were sure signs of nervousness in the ruling
camp. Reluctant to be seen as taking sides, Goans lent little support to AAP
initially. Possibly, this made AAP depend on their cadres from outside Goa for
its organizational work in the State. No doubt, they were dynamic and hard
working people, who went about dedicatedly propagating the ideals and
achievements of the party, but the Party also used them as spokespersons in
preference to locals. All this did not go well with Goans. Though a supporter
of AAP right from the time it set its foot in Goa, I cannot help voicing that
AAP unfortunately faulted on a few counts, when it could and ought to have
acted with more prudence. For no good reasons, it alienated a few of its
well-wishers. Had they been taken into confidence, they would have proved an
asset to the Party by their popularity and proven past record of integrity. A
few of AAP candidates did not come up to the expectations of its admirers.
Kejriwal’s insistence in speaking only in Hindi, even to audiences in Margao,
hurt a sizeable chunk of supporters who felt he did not care for their sentiments.
Nonetheless, AAP still seems the best bet for us in this confused scenario. It
would be a game changer and set new standards of governance, far different from
the disgusting ones we have had. Loads of NRIs have come down to Punjab to
canvass for the Party. I would hope AAP would be in the driver’s seat but even
as a small opposition and with people’s support, the Treasury benches will have
to think twice before they act. AAP must support the pro-Goa Goenchi Mati
manifesto |
| Jose Maria Miranda |
The question today is not who to reject but
who to vote for. Among the undeserving, we may have to choose the least
undeserving. But, in some constituencies, I am afraid, we may have to compromise our principles and
conscience and ignore a good candidate with less chances of winability, solely
to defeat the most unscrupulous: - an unfortunate but helpless situation. We
need to weigh our options and importantly avoid a split that could give an edge
to the most undesirable. We can only pray for enlightenment and guidance and
that we and our Goa be saved from another catastrophe. As a very revered person
recently told me: When things look impossible, God has ways of making them
possible.
