The people of Goa were shocked to learn that Ms Nirmala Prabhakar Sawant ex MLA of 14- Cumbarjua Assembly Constituency, Tiswadi ex Minister for Power, ex-Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, President, a staunch loyalist, quit the Indian National Party on 11th May 2005 dealing the second stunning blow to the INC bye-election stakes in Goa, the first being the INC Party High Command's decision to give the Benaulim Constituency seat to the NCP candidate Mr Francisco (Mickey) Pacheco when the local INC party unit had earlier stated that all five contituencies Taleigao, Cumbarjua, Benaulim,Margao and Poinguinim would be contested by INC Party only and tickets would be given to those that "sacrificed" their seats for the downfall of the Parrikar regime.
So damaging was the situation following the resignation that All India Congress Committee General Secretary looking after the Goa desk Ms Margaret Alva took the assistance of Dr Wilfred Anthony De Souza the lone Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)MLA from the Saligao Constituency to plead with Ms Sawant to withdraw her resignation. The crowds at her residence five hundred metres from the Banastarim bridge was evidence of support and respect she commands in the constituency, who have now compelled her to contest as the people's candidate as an INDEPENDENT. This writer had a brief tele-talk with Ms Sawant on 12th morning. Ms Sawant bluntly admitted, though in a gentle tone, that Mr Pandurang Madkaikar (the candidate who she had contested against unsuccessfully in the June 2002 elections) had a) changed parties frequently (First he quit the INC party then contested and was elected on 1/6/2002 on MGP ticket. Later resigned from the MGP and joined the BJP (before the amended anti defection law came into force) Then resigned from BJP and now re-joined the INC party ------ )but all for his "personal gains" (interestingly it was brought to the notice of this writer some time ago that the youthful Mr Madkaikar is an upcoming real estate developer and has in sheer violation of the ASI regulations built his bungalow within the 100 metres prohibited area of the Bom Jesus Basilica Old Goa) b) using the "party" for his personal gains and therefore as a loyal party worker (incidentally she is just one of the few loyal workers who has never ever defected to any other party right from inception --unlike the majority in the INC party Legislatures and the INC organisational unit) she felt humiliated to continue with such a party where loyalty is at a discount. But when this writer had a tele-talk with Mr Emidio Monteiro ex INC member who contested as an Independent he was not in agreement of Ms Sawants view. He felt that Ms Sawant too benefitted from the INC apparently referring to the properous Barge repairs industry of her family. He also stated that when he contested as an Independent he was asked by Ms Sawant then not to split the votes Again he states that Ms Sawant was amply rewarded for her loyalty she was given the ticket to contest thrice in the past and could win only once. To refute this Ms Sawant had earlier stated that it is not her intention to contest as an Independent but it is her party workers who have compelled her to do so to avenge the humiliation meted out to her. There is no doubt on the credentials of this school teacher whose father a freedom fighter was mercilessly tortured to death by the erstwhile Portuguese regime. Ms Sawant holds reveres the sacrifice of her father to the cause of the freedom struggle and her loyalty to the INC party stems from this singular event that has left an indelible mark on her psyche. This writer was given to understand by a INC party office bearer that prior to this drastic step Ms Sawant met the Indian National Congress President Madam Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi to explain her stand. She was asked to meet the Goa Desk In-charge Ms Margaret Alva who was then away in Kerala, but it seems the INC Party had made up their minds that Ms Sawant could wait -- for the moment those five that had made the "sacrifice to unseat Parrikar " need to be rewarded and this was final. Which meant she would have to campaign for the "defector' now a member of her party and this she was the cause of the resignation. Sadly one veteran INC voter from St Estevam this writer contact stated that the Indian National Congress Party's Constitution as amended by AICC meeting at Delhi on 18th December 1998 and its Rules as approved by the Congress Working Committee on 16th January & 17th March, 1999 despite a clear cut role for "primary" and "active" members is blissfully silent on those like Madkaikar and others -----who change party loyalties as frequently as they do their undergarments. This writer spoke to several others in her constituency to gauge their opinion. About the loyalty to the INC party no one denies it even her worst critics agree that she is an INC loyalist may remain an INC loyalist ever after. They felt it is time that the INC which is seeking to rejuvenate itself should read deeper into the feelings of such loyalists, to save the over century old party. too much of infighting too many chief ministerial candidates every one aspiring for the "red beacon" on their cars (read ministerial posts) have reduced the INC party to shambles. Even after the four years rule of the fundamentalist right wing party which is not atune to Goa communal harmony the INC party seem to make the party subservient to individuals rather than keeping the party above individuals. As far as her capabilities in dealing with issues affecting the people of Chorao -- the need for a bridge -- the Mandovi (Mhadei) river diversion issue of the Kumeri cultivation issues -restoring St Estevam back to Cumbarjua Constituency in the approved Delimitation of Assembly Constituencies which will come into force for the 2007 elections or may be earlier) --yes she has been in the forefront and fought in right earnest. But many say that there are too many enemies "within" that used to sabotage her attempts to do justice to the people. Those that control the Organisation and the legislative wings are the defectors the money bags and Ms Sawants morals and principles have not place they believe. When specifically asked to name them they point many fingers to Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane ex CM who has not taken too kindly to Ms Sawants closeness to his bete noire Dr Wilfred A De Souza ex INC CM now in the NCP They also blame Mr Luizinho Faleiro MLA Navelim Constitutency and ex GPCC President who worked against her in the heavily contested elections (the first contest of its kind for any INC organisational elections then in the country)when she was elected the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President. When as Minister for Power Ms Sawant took the Power thieves in Kundaim Cuncolim industrial estate to task her actions were sabotaged by her own party men. Her endeavour to increase the work force to curb losses and her attempts to bring in a new power policy were discreetly sabotaged by her party men. This is reason why the Power portfolio is so very cruicial next to Town & Country Planning and Urban Development in Goa said one voter. This writer confirmed that Ms Sawant will be filing her nomination as an Independent positively tommorrow morning 14th May 2005. As the last day for filing the nominations is on 16th May 2005 and 19th May last date for withdrawal, the Cumbarjua seat will attract greater attention in the coming week. from the Cumbarjua Constituency GODFREY J I GONSALVES BORDA MARGAO GOA [EMAIL PROTECTED] ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony
