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Happy New Year Twenty-Ten
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There seems to be a clever attempt by some forces to divert the focus of debate
from GBA to GPA. GBA was a movement against RP 2011 and GPA was only a forum to
bring together people's voices who struggle on various issues. No one has
floated bank accounts to collect donations from public to support GPA.
GBA is just harping on its laurels about a large attendance at the rallies at
Panjim and Margao. Deep down everyone knows from where the crowds came and who
brought them. GBA minus CSJP's support would have been a big zero. We are
witness to who mobilised the people from the parishes. Would the common people
heed the call of these elite upmarket activists? Besides these two rallies
has GBA anything else to show?
GPA was organised once more at T.B. Cunha Hall on the issue of village
planning. Ordinary people spoke out at this forum and GPA will continue to
provide that space to unassuming people who do not know the art of theatrics
and media publicity.
The question remains: What has GBA done as a people's movement for the RP since
7th June 2007 if it had such mass support? All it can afford is ride piggy back
on other initiatives. GBA has been reduced to a brand label and nothing else.
It has not been able to mobilise mass support on any issue it has taken up from
2007.
-Soter D'Souza
