Frantic appeals..... hold on, Goans living in Goa
cannot be influenced just like that?
Of late, I have read, heard comments as well as
received even threatening emails for my support to the
present set of MLAs and that includes the CM, Manohar
Parrikar. (Parra, being my village, I am also called
Porrikar, by the elders and the surrounding village
faternity within the Saligao constituency). I am not
contesting the elections, not for the foreseeable
future, though, I am tempted to. Although I have the
ability to convince to get myself elected unopposed -
atleast among the Goans here for the last two decades!
And the tradition continues to-date!
Back in Amchem Goa, Goans know whom to vote and whom
to empower. We do not need frantic appeals via the
emails/telephones to 'tell' our folks home whom to
vote? Isn't this undemocratic to influence 'voting'?
Goa politics has seen a tumultuous time in the last
decades. The Congress, which won, a few years ago,
with a simple majority of 21 in the Assembly, split
twice, allowing a rag-tag coalition led by the BJP to
seize power. The end result, both MPs of the BJP,
sprinted towards Delhi, and we are proud of their
achivements!
If now we 'tell our folks' to vote for the
'hand', 'simply' because we do not like the 'lotus' or
its colour.... what happens if the above situation is
repeated! Will not the 'lotus' bloom once again and
will our 'Christians' supporters resign?
Observers say what may swing matters also in favour of
the BJP in case of a close contest is the fact that it
is ruling at the Centre (NDA outfit) and the
progressive completion of its full term (a rarity in
our times, infact the previous governments were a
nuisance, if not shame). I distinctly remember what
the Deputy PM, L.K. Advani repeated during his 'rally
speech' at the Mapusa Taxi Stand pedestal on his first
trip to Goa after the last central government was
sworn in. 'HAM' .... 'We will complete the full term
and we will show that we have the ability, resources
and the determination to be successful'. How true?
Who can deny this statement?
Which party has developed Goa's infrastructure, as is
done by the last government? We are moving ahead!
Ahead of other States - a shining example indeed.
What may swing matters in favour of the BJP in case of
a close contest is the fact that it is ruling at the
Centre, and have achieved progressive growth (see the
dollar rate)!
For those Goans who have alligence to the regional
parties will tend to keep that in mind if they have to
cast their lot with one of the national parties.
Goa may be a small state, but the timing of the
election has made it crucial for all sides. For the
BJP, a win here will come as a big morale booster.
For the Congress, bagging Goa would endorse its
already strengthening position, although at at slower
pace, in the state.
But only around mid-May will we know how many ads will
appear in the press to congratulate the ex-CM, ex-MP
and Benaulim's great son of the soil who is contesting
on the Congress ticket?
If the current set-up of MPs get themselves
re-elected, not only in Goa, but also in other states,
we will continue to have 'shining India' forward its
path towards progress and development.
Possibly we will get our rightful place among the UN
Security Council too!
Only time will tell.
Gaspar Almeida (Q8) 25th April 2004
Associate, www.goa-world.com
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