Does Churchill Alemao have an uphill task against Luizinho and Avertano
in the forthcoming elections?
By Nisser Dias
nisserdias at gmail.com
SMS to 9422437029
With the elections to the general assembly in Goa fast approaching
politicians – rejected or otherwise are not only preparing grounds to
contest but also pampering respective high and low commands to allot
them the tickets to contest. It is not that they will not contest if not
given a party ticket. They will contest independently or what
politicians like Churchill Alemao calls on ‘people’s ticket’.
The scene will unfold in all the assembly constituencies as the
elections get nearer. But the picture in delimited Navelim constituency
has got clearer with former chief minister Luizinho Faleiro showing his
willingness to make a come-back in local politics. This former
legislator had withdrawn completely from public life for the last five
years after his defeat at the hands of Churchill Alemao. Infact Faleiro
in his own words had said in 2008 that he had taken a ‘sanyas’ from
politics. With election at the doorsteps he seems to be waking up from
hibernation and has made his intention clear of contesting against his
bête noire Churchill Alemao. The third person in the fray is supposed to
be Avertano Furtado – a close ally of Faleiro and a former goalkeeper of
Churchill Brothers. Therefore an interesting triangular match to
represent Navelim constituency is on the cards between a football team
owner, a former footballer and a smooth operator.
Of course with the victory of Churchill Alemao over Luizinho Faleiro at
the lasting hustings constituents of the old Navelim constituency
comprising of villages of Varca, Orlim, Carmona, Cavelossim and Navelim
had actually jumped from the frying pan to the fire. At the same time
anti-incumbency had played a major role in dethroning Faleiro. For a
long time, leaders were not forthcoming to contest against him till
Churchill came along and changed the tide. So much so that even the BJP
which has a vote bank of close to 4500 transferred their votes to him by
not fielding a candidate against him. Churchill victory margin was over
4500. Which indicated that Navelim constituents needed a change,
unfortunately the change did not bring about any constructive
development in the constituency. During the erstwhile Luizinho Faleiro’s
reign the main state highways in the constituency would get a fresh coat
of premix carpet every five years, which we have not seen during the
current five years rule. Of course Churchill has installed reflectors on
the either sides of the road throughout his constituency at huge costs.
Its golden glow infuses life even in the most tired motorist, but then
gold is known to do that to people and whose knows it better then Varca
strong man. Another of his achievement is to allow electrification of
ornamental street lights installed during the fag end of Luizinho’s term
and that too on his birthday. Initially for almost two years Churchill
tried to block electrification of these lights questioning, who would
pay the bill. Surely it would not come from his pocket as the tax payer
would be made to foot it anyway. Of course he can be credited of
building a bridge between Varca and Telaulim.
Besides fulfilling this aspect on his election manifesto, Churchill
Alemao has done a volte facie on Mopa airport, six laning of national
highway, solving the problems between tourist taxi drivers and tour
operators. Infact Navelim MLA has inflicted more harm by distancing his
voters from himself by blatantly supporting builders and developers
against the wishes of his constituents.
Coming to Luizinho Faleiro he seems to have used the last five years not
to lick his wounds, but to build a strong rapport with the bigwigs in
the Congress at the centre. To add to that he let the Navelim
constituents decide for themselves the difference between his reign and
Churchill’s rule by maintaining a distance. Of course his hand in
backroom politics could be seen when former Tourism minister and
Benaulim NCP MLA, Mickky Pacheco filed a disqualification petition
before the Speaker, which is yet to be decided. That Pacheco tried to
withdraw it is a different matter. Then there are rumours that Faleiro
played a major role in sticking to the decision of FAME (Foundation for
Advanced Management of Elections) disqualifying Valanka Alemao as a
candidate for the post of Youth Congress president. Ofcourse in no way
Valanka can be considered as a role model for the youth of Goa as there
are too many controversies dogging her popularity. Nonetheless, in no
way am I of the opinion that Faleiro is a paradigm of virtues. But can
politicians ever be?
That leaves the constituents of Navelim with a fresh face and a green
horn in politics Avertano Furtado. This probable candidate can match
Churchill Alemao with muscle power because of his security business. It
would be not out of place to remind the voters that Avertano had
provided muscle flexing, armed bouncers for an Education Fest organized
by the government in Varca in 2005 during Luizinho’s tenure as Education
minister. If having money and muscle power to contest assembly election
as the only criteria then Furtado qualifies for it.
Basically Avertano is a shy person who is not very interactive. A person
whose oratory skills are yet to known as he has not addressed any public
meetings. As elections nears Churchill and Luizinho will start playing
their stuck-record of development and their vision, but voters are yet
to know what Avertano has to offer. It seems that he held back from
openly endorsing his candidature as his close friend Luizinho Faleiro
did not give the go-ahead. A leader should have self confidence and
conviction to bring about a change but if godfathers are sought then the
person shows the qualities of opporturnism. Avertano is also a parent of
an unaided school in Margao wherein the management has violated Goa
School Education Act and Rules. Parents have raised a banner of protest
and even approached the High Court however Avertano has not even lent
support to the parents lest voiced his opinion about commercialization
of Education. So far he has acted as a silent spectator. People need
leaders who will take genuine issues and debate it in Legislative
Assembly in a bid to alleviate grievances of the people and stamp,
endorse and enforce the law of the land and not be a mere onlooker.
We need to elect candidates who have the courage to fight the existing
corruption and communalism. We need candidates who will face the tide
instead of flow with it and we need legislators who are willing to undo
the mess we are currently in. The constituents of Navelim should decide
who among these three have the qualities and will abide by it. (ENDS)
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First published in Gomantak Times, Goa - August 18, 2011
