In a dramatic development a precedent of sorts in the anals of Goa's history the "never say die" septugenarian ex Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and four times elected representative of the 12 Santa Cruz Assembly Constitutency Ms Victoria Fernandes who earned the sobriquet of "Rani of Jhansi" ( reference to the 1857 mutiny ) went on an indefinite hunger strike when she learnt that she was denied a cabinet berth at todays swearing in ceremony at the Raj Bhavan lawns this morning.
The orange saree clad veteran politician a firebrand politician who took on her own colleague the then Town & Country Planning Minister Mr Antanasio (Babush ) Monseratte against the ordinance which threatened to destroy this tiny beautiful 25th State of India stayed parked in front of the Panaji Steamer Jetty near the Customs House and threatened to continue to do so indefinitely demanding that those responsible for doing injustice to her legitimate claim for a Cabinet berth should stand exposed. She is also credited for having created a furore when she raised her voice at a Forum in the Goa Legislative Assembly when she boldly represented before the President of India Dr A P J Abdul Kalam about the rampant destruction of the State. The President who was taken up by surprise at this "informal protest" took cognizance of her conscientious appeal and directed the Government of Goa to lend a ear to her genuine grievance. When this writer spoke to Ms Fernandes via cellphone +91 9823253809 this evening -- she stated that her demands were logical --- " she was the lone women representative in the Goa State legislative Assembly; she had no scandals against her; she had fought against the draconian TCP ordinance to protect the State from rampant destruction." "even during the recent Goa Bachao Abhiyan agitation against the Regional Plan 2011 she was always in the forefront irrespective of her then status as a Deputy Speaker for she felt that the interests of the State was always dear to her than party considerations.Finally she had despite monetary influence managed to humble Ms Jennifer Monserate wife of the TCP ex Minister and present UGDP MLA of Taleigao to third position thereby proving that her stand had the support of not only the people of Santa Cruz Constituency but also Goa at large. When asked specifically her views on the Chief Minister Mr Digamber Kamat who under the Constitution is expected to select among the MLA's those who enjoy his confidence that being his perogative to do so-- she stated that Mr Kamat lay the blame entirely on the High Command and he feigned helplessness in the matter. When probed deeper into the likely party High Command observers who were intent on ensuring denial of a Cabinet posting she bluntly blamed -- the All India Congress Committee General Secretary looking after the Goa Desk Ms Margaret Alva for "misrepresenting facts" before the High Command. " She said -- she is the culprit for giving all this false picture to the High Command " This writer tried to make frantic calls to Ms Margaret Alva to ascertain her views on her cellphone 09868100099 but the same was out of coverage area. When asked to elaborate further on who in her opinion she felt should not have been given the portfolio in todays expansion which included one fresh entrant Mr Vishwajit Raoji Rane Independent MLA from Valpoi and son of the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane--- she merely said that it was the perogative of the Chief Minister but stressed that with her unscathed record as state above she ought to have been given the Cabinet berth. This writer came interacted with a large section of women to learn of their reactions to the denial of a Cabinet berth to Ms Fernandes; they expressed disgust against the INC. They were in unanimity that money power was the sole criteria in deciding berths and not loyalty or sincerity. Others felt that the INC has been reduced to shambles-- one person questioned this writer objectively --- and expected a reply -- when he blamed to High Command for following a dual policy in alloting tickets.. When asked to elaborate he stated that Mr Vishwajit Rane who was inducted suddenly in the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee was denied a ticket and hence he resigned. This implied he rebelled against the party yet when he contested the elections and won the over 100 year old party bent backwards to appease him for his supports knowing full well that Mr Rane had no choice but to support a INC led government for he had already filed a defamation suit against the Leader of the Opposition Mr Manohar Parrikar and therefore giving him a Cabinet berth smacked of favouritism. Another individual sarcastically remarked that the INC is devoid of Chief Minister material MLA's and therefore the options other than Mr Rane were only BJP trained MLA's referring to Mr Ravi Sitaram Naik MLA Ponda who was the Deputy Chief Minister and the present Chief Minister Mr Digamber Kamat MLA Margao who was second in command in the BJP led coalition. Meanwhile there was another fallout of the expansion today when the youthful and flambouyant MLA from Cortalim Mr Mauvin Godinho was denied a Cabinet rank but instead has been tipped for the Deputy Speakers post. The indefinite hunger strike by Ms Victoria Fernandes and disatisfaction among other MLA's notably the St Andre MLA Mr Francisco Silveira and Mr Chandrakant B Kavlekar MLA Quepem who despite their past experience were denied Cabinet berth forced the CM to defer the allotment of portfolios to tommorrow. Attempts are being made to woo Mr Victoria Fernandes to give up her indefinite fast but Ms Fernandes seems determined to pursue her agenda until death. Attempts by this writer to contact the party men evoked no response -- many refused to comment however one party men felt that Ms Victoria Fernandes was given a ticket after a great deal of lobbying. Her demand for a Cabinet berth and may be later a lucrative portfolio or the TCP portfolio would not augur well. He stated that the INC had taken note of her loyalty yet party considerations prevailed over individual claims. Meanwhile there was a stoic silence maintained by the UGDP SGF and the BJP even the other Independent MLA the industrialist mine owner have not expressed their views on todays development. With this the Kamat Ministry apparently appears to be on oxygen by its own acts. It will be left to be seen how the INC High Command reacts to these developments. But it is clear that the emissaries from New Delhi will be sent to pacify Ms Fernandes to fall in line. Meanwhile a Medical practitioner who this writer spoke to expressed concern over the step taken by Ms Fernandes given her age and the climatic conditions it would not augur well for the septugenarian to indulge in such indefinite fast. Another activist from Margao who spoke to this writer and has gone on record -- Ms Auda Viegas felt a gross injustice has been done to Ms Fernandes. She stated that the INC bastion specially in Salcete Tiswadi has a number of women voters who infact run the daily chores while their better halfs are overseas and in the gulf to earn a living. These women have always looked upon Ms Fernandes as the voice of women. To spite this is a gross injustice. Morever Ms Fernandes has been a role model for other women and the Party has indeed done gross injustice to women she said. GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Looking for people who are YOUR TYPE? Find them at in.groups.yahoo.com