Below is the disgusting editorial in one of Goa's popular newspaper. The editorial appeals for no political party to field candidates against the BJP in the Cortalim by-polls. Is the BJP or any political party in this country known to restrain themselves from contesting a by-poll after the demise of a Congress MLA or MP? Are we Goans being considered as morons?
No party should contest against BJP in the Cortalim by polls The outpouring of grief over Matanhy Saldhana's death shows no signs of abating. Absolute strangers have been calling and breaking down on the phone. Some are fisher folk, many are his former students, now lawyers, doctors, teachers and businessmen. They are all men and women of repute and standing. Yet, as one, they bare their hearts and cry as if there's no tomorrow. As a news organisation where reporting deaths and tragedies are a part of our daily existence, the evocative and heartfelt response to Matanhy's death by all in Goa was a huge eye opener. Everyone who knew and loved Matanhy, has been surprised at the extent of the sadness over his death because for each, the love for Matanhy was personal. In his death, there is a fresh realisation that it was universal. It's difficult to figure if Matanhy followed agitations or agitations followed Matanhy. But what is not difficult to figure is why Matanhy and agitations were natural bedfellows, in a seamless embrace. Each agitation was a fight to protect Goa's, land, water, resources and above all Goa's identity. These agitations touched hearts and strengthened minds. And mind you every agitation may not have been huge in terms of scale, though most were. Some were simple demonstrations of protest. A couple of years ago, on a very hot summer afternoon Matanhy called journalists saying that a fisherman's boat and his fishing nets were burnt by someone and if reporters could come to Velsao where it happened. Journalists took their time and at four o clock two of them turned up to see Matanhy standing by the burnt boat, with four others. He had waited in the sun for three hours without lunch, to be on the side of that fisherman waiting for some reporters to come and see the damage. He had no election to fight, he had no deal to strike and he had no agenda. He just stood there on that afternoon like a brother and promised to find those who burnt his boat. When he contested elections this time, he did not have to go and plead or promise or give any incentives. He simply gave himself yet again and people believed him. Every boatman in Velsao and Cansaulim, would have voted for Matanhy as a brother would. In death, Matanhy has put a stamp on the greatness on his life and he has joined a very long list of decent, simple and dedicated leaders who have died young. When you see doddering 85 plus year old leaders contesting elections aiming for high offices, it is a consolation that Matanhy had energy and vigour till his last day. All this brings us to an issue which will play out immediately after his funeral. Who will step into Matanhy's shoes in Cortalim. The ugly side of Goa's politics is already visible. One of the candidates who lost to Matanhy actually called someone in the BJP, asking if the party would field him/her in the byelections. If we are true Goans, let us pause, close our eyes and ask if it is fair for the Congress or any other party to field a candidate against the BJP in Cortalim in the July by elections. The greatest tribute to Matanhy would be to have a historic election in Cortalim where there is one BJP candidate and none other. If anything, it will help Goa get a piece of its dignity, pride and honour of rising above party politics for a change. http://heraldingoa.blogspot.in/p/edit.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
