Congress is not visualised as an alternative The BJP in Goa was ushered in due to arrogance of Congress and due to family and personal aspirations, However the advent of Faleiro raised hopes of rejuvenation of sagging spirits of supporters. He started in right earnest holding meetings and galvanizing grass root workers, emphasisng on young blood. It appeared that the leaders and MLA`s will work shoulder to shoulder in welcoming Faleiro . However cracks started surfacing in his personal style of functioning labelled as autocratic. The high expectations in the appearance of AAP on the political map of Goa was belied. Unfortunately it did not cut much ice with voters as the Delhi experiment could not be transferred to Goa scene., even though the candidates were with credible background .It introduce village meetings and people participation who voiced their views on choice of candidates. Internal dissensions cut at the roots of cohesiveness of Congress party. Faleiro announcements to introduce young blood fell flat on his face, when so called grand fathers presented themselves as the choice, including Faleiro, on the untenable justification that 200 workers forced his participation to presentbhimself as the candidate, exposing double standards. What an irony of reasoning to buttress his action?. Mr Baush Monserate was sacked for a minor aberration, but Mauvin Godinho in comparison, who was openly flouting party discipline, also challenged the party to expel him was untouched .He was tolerated beyond limits of elasticity .He finally ditched Congress as was expected and joined BJP After the advent of Faleiro the most vocal MLA Mr Reginaldo mysteriously went into hibernation. for unexplainde reasons. Nevertheless Faleiro did perform to win 21 MLA`s, but could not form the Govt, as the too many leaders were aspirants for CM posts. The disappointed voters lost all hopes because their voters were in validated by infighting and BJP taking advantage of the situation
The incident led to the baying of blood of Faleiro, as all ills were placed squarely at his doorsteps, The Central party dilly delied over long time in accepting his resignation with the hope that time will heal the wounds of dissent with reconciliation. The final decision to replace Faleiro with Mr Shantaram Naik was expected to bridge the internal divide. The first meeting of Congress party under his leadership showed fissures with half the MlA`s remaining absent for what were portrayed as worthy explanations. Then the cross voting in Presidential elections showed the sharp discontent brewing within, exploding like volcano in the face of new President. The resignation of Viswajeet Rane was the last straw on the camel`s back, after absenting in Presidential voting. The Congress shamelessly tried to woo Monserate against all moral bankruptcy ,because his last margin of defeat seemed attractive to take on invincible Manohar in his den. The GFP swiftly pulled the rug under the feet of Congress functionaries leaving them dumb founded and made common cause with BJP, Finally the Congress, unable to field a candidate against both Manohar and Viswajeet found sacrificial lambs in Gurish and Roy. The results were foregone conclusion only living in fools paradise to sooth their wounded egos. Congress party bigwigs were conspicuous by their absence in election campaign as the cohesive unit and divisions were writh large on their faces Mr Shantaram is all by himself with any Congress party stalwarts never seen in his company or press meetings He may continue to issue statements, at which he is at his best , It does not seem that his statements are a joint decision of the party , He too will soon meet his waterloo a la Faleiro with romours doing round that the party is being sabotaged from within, The disillusioned voters are asking whether to desert the party giving it a burial as many MLA`s are believed to be thinking of deserting the sinking ship of Congress, trying to consolidate, secure their politica future. What is the alternative. option for voters The BJP in spite of less numbers commands the show with emphasis on development, while secretly pushing its agenda much to the disappointment of minorities by flouting number of MLA`s in its fold The win of both BJP candidate is a silent message What is the alternative? Nelson Lopes Chinchinim
