Nothing has been straight in Goan politics, not even the most sacrosanct constitutional processes like the formation and installation of a Government for the good of the people.
A long month, after the declaration of the Assembly results, Goa finally has a full cabinet of 12. It must have been a harrowing task for the BJP, to first select the Chief Minister, then the eight Ministers and now those final three. Even the allotment of portfolios has been no easy task with the entire process of government formation remote controlled by the BJP High Command in Delhi. The clash of selfish and vested interests amongst those 'elected' politicians was bound to take time to get resolved 'profitably' for most, if not for all of them. Within the Congress the situation has been no better, with the Leader of Opposition picked in Delhi whilst by passing and virtually humiliating the very senior and experienced Digambar Kamat. But the pitiable plight of the Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco is a lesson for future chameleons and roving political frogs. Having lost the race for that promised cabinet berth, despite all his hectic and frantic lobbying and ending up as a hyped disaster, Reginaldo will now have to be content with some BJP charity by way of crumbs as Chairmanship of some Corporation which he can "earn", but will have no gloss. Sudin Dhavlikar after having roared all the way that he would be the kingmaker and would not align with the BJP and more particularly would not accept Pramod Sawant as Chief Minister, has had to eat some humble pie and now put himself at the mercy of the BJP and its Chief Minister. Sudin Dhavlikar’s desperation for Power may now see the end of Goa’s oldest regional party the MGP. In the 60’s and 70’s, Goa was well governed with just three or four Ministers. Most MLAs travelled on two wheelers and some even used public transport to reach the Legislative Assembly and Secretariat in Panaji. Many became impoverished on becoming MLAs. Today politics has become a very lucrative business and a venture with very rich and enormous dividends. Rags to Riches, and that too overnight, even in less than one term – has been the norm with that virus having spread all across and infected all over, be it in Assembly, Municipal or Panchayat elections. Quo vadis, our Goa? Adv. Aires Rodrigues C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.in
