Happy to say the Assembly elections are just over and so it is safe to come out of hiding and resume my Moira Diary. Happier to say Panchayat elections are due and although not yet notified, already the talk of the village is who is and who is not going to contest.
It isn't something as simple as having the most competent person representing the ward. Rather it is having a person in place who will permit your irregularities and shenanigans to take place when you need someone in a crisis. Amchem kamam korpak konn zai!! And I am not talking about the poor and illiterate. What I say most applies to the most learned among us. Its great fun to watch the permutations and combinations being calculated as to how to split these people's vote and those people's vote in order to win. In fact the more wealthy and "educated" you are the more the venality. Those hot air manifestos don't deceive anyone. By this logic someone like the Accidental Activist, who is from my village, and is a 'civil society' type and who understands long term village issues well, does not stand a chance. That's because she does not quite understand the issues of kinship and patronage that are involved in village politics or if she does, cannot be trusted to do the 'right' thing. Which is why, as I perceive it, the committee which was formed regarding the Regional Plan where she was the driving force, was in disarray the last time I observed. Maybe what I'm saying is wrong in which case someone can contest what I say or otherwise let us see her contest and win! BTW the exception to all of the above is of course is me which is why I wont contest elections and nor will I try to be some sort of king-maker and so I wont be cursed by the people and when I die I will go straight to heaven. Cheers Augusto -- Augusto Pinto 40, Novo Portugal, Moira, Bardez,t Goa, India E [email protected] or [email protected] P 0832-2470336 M 9881126350 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
