http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Anti-defection+law+under+scanner+in+Goa&id=73773
Anti-defection law under scanner in Goa
NDTV Correspondent
Watch story Anti-defection law under scanner in Goa
Tuesday, May 31, 2005 (Panaji):
The by-elections to five assembly seats in Goa on June 2 are going to be
keenly watched because the state sets a precedent on how to get around
anti-defection laws.
A case in example is Isidore Fernandes, Goa's most famous defector. Last
year, Isidore made history by becoming the very first MLA in the country
to switch sides after the anti-defection law became more stringent.
Under the new law, MLAs who switch sides now have to resign their seats
and face a by-election.
Frequent switches
Eight months ago, Isidore quit the Congress and joined the BJP. But he had
to contest a by-election to retain his MLA status in the new party.
Yet, three months later he quit the BJP and is now back to contesting on a
Congress ticket.
"We're showing Parliament that the anti-defection law is defective. They
should change the law if they want us to stop contesting like this," said
Isidore.
While the Isidore case is yet to be repeated in any other part of the
country, in Goa it's multiplied. All the five sitting candidates had
defected from the BJP government to face elections to the House once
again. Besides Isidore, they include:
* Digambar Kamat (Congress), who used to be former Chief Minister
Manohar Parrikar's right hand man.
* Pandurang Madkaikar (Congress), who has earlier been with the
Mahashtrawadi Gomantak Party and then the BJP.
* Mikky Pacheco (NCP), who has earlier been with the United Goan
Democratic Party and then the BJP.
* Atanasio Monserrate, who has earlier been with the United Goan
Democratic Party and later the BJP.
Personality vs. party
Analysts say its mostly a case of personalities who have cultivated their
pocketboroughs taking a risk and hoping that individuals will matter more
than party to the voters.
"Its happening in Goa because the political system does not have a well
defined political culture, one which usually acts as a restraint on such
activities," said Peter D'Souza, political scientist.
This by-election is going to be crucial not just because winning Goa is a
prestige issue for the Congress and BJP, but because the outcome will show
how far the state can push the anti-defection law.
