Also known as ‘United Goans Party’, Dr. Jack de Sequeira’smodel of Goan politics was rejected right from day one in Goa basically because it drew a line of divide between theCatholic and Hindus in Goa. Most historian areof the consensus opinion that his face tilted the balance and gave power inthe hands of wrong people at the very first election in Goa. It was realized by the party leadershipthemselves who always looked for a way out of this stalemate till in 1979 they dissolvedthe United Goans Party, some joined the Congress (I) and some went to Janataparty. The only issue that kept UGP alive for a while was the opinion poll. At the height of ignorance the place and people which/whogave him glory and name from no where to first Chief Minister of Goa he himselfturned around and propagated the merger of Goa into Maharashtra.That is why historians call this what happens when wrong people get in power. Itis so confusing to clear the minds of young students who question us teacherstoday that the person who wanted to wipe the name of Goa from the map by merger, this very person’s statue is erectedin front of the temple of Goan Democracy, thelegislative Assembly. what are we Goans doing? As along as we tolerate suchthings, corruption due to wrong peoplein power will continue to rule Goa, nothingelse. The act of Dr. Sequeira opposing the merger of Goa in to Maharashtra was just a reflex act, he being the leader ofthe opposition, what else he could have done, to opposed was the only way out.Thanks to the curiosity of Mrs. Indira Gandhi who was very much confused whenMr. Bandodkar mobilized Maharashtra legislature and MPs to fuel the merger ofGoa, it is at this stage Mrs.Gandhi called for opinion poll to give power toGoan to decide the future of Goa. Lot ofhistorians have attempted to investigate if any request was first put by Dr. Sequiera demanding opinion poll in Goa.There was no such demand from UGP at all, recorded in history, it was onlyMrs.Gandhi idea of referendum in Goa released by Mr.P.Kakodkar a local Congressleader, this move was taken halfheartedly and feared by UGP was in minority.Winning opinion poll was victory for Goans, hindus and catholics but nothingfor both Dr.Jack de Sequeira who remained as he was a dividing face andMr.Bandodkar never got to fulfill his dream to merge Goa into Maharashtra. So if this is the story we Goans have to ask the questionsas to who were this people namely Dr. Jack de Sequeira and Mr. DayanandBandodkar? Where did they come from? What was their mind setup? And who still madethem hero’s of Goa. All Goans needed was a member of ‘Velliapura Royal family’to bring in Democracy for his people in Goa after liberation, non other butfreedom fighter Roque Santan of Velim who resorted to Satyagraha for Democracyin Goa. So a general election was announced inGoa, Soon after the declaration of election in Goawe see the names of Dr. Jack de Sequeira and Mr. Dayanand Bandodkar both rich Industrialistswith no pre liberation background jumped on Goan political scene. It is at thistime we read the names of both this richGoans, Dr. Jack de Sequeira and Mr. Dayanand Bandodkar took part in theopportunity to contest formed political parties namely UGP and MGP and afterelection, one formed the Government and other sat in the opposition. Looks likethere was a opportunity for grab, a lottery for one. At the time of liberation of Goaboth Dr. Jack de Sequeira and Mr. Dayanand Bandodkar were of over middle age,so what were they doing when thousands of Goans were involved in the liberationstruggle. We Goans have to ask this questions as to where were Dr. Jack deSequeira and Mr. Dayanand Bandodkar during the 50-60 year long Goan liberationstruggle with the Portuguese military forces. No where during the freedommovement, their names not even remotely mentioned in pre liberation history. With all seniors leaders dead or in old age theonly freedom fighters name which figures out loud amongst opinion poll names ofMLA’s is that of Roque Santan of Velim who was involved in the pre-liberationstruggle with the Portuguese forces and who went on Satyagraha demandingDemocracy in Goa. And for this he is humbly know as “ father of Goan Democracy”. As long as we the educated ones at the University don’tratify Goan history and put things in order as to who is who ‘promote memoriesof man of sacrifice’ or else corruption will be the order of the day in Goa andordinary Goan will continue to suffer at the hands of wrong people in power intheir own rich State of India. by Ujwala.
