Congress party somersaults on its resolution
By Nisser Dias
nisserdias at gmail.com
SMS to 9422437029
Trust the Congress party to betray its loyalists, supporters, citizens
and the nation as a whole. It seems that the party has lost all its
integrity to rule the nation for a simple reason that it has overlooked
the lack of credibility of its candidates while dishing out party tickets.
This reminds me, during one of all India congress convention a
resolution was passed by the party, ‘one ticket one family’ and on this
basis in 2007 assembly election in Goa Jennifer Monserrate was denied
party ticket prompting Babush Monserrate to ditch the Congress at the
eleventh hour and contest on UGDP ticket. Similar was the case with the
Alemao’s and Rane’s. Churchill Alemao was denied the Congress ticket as
he was the Member of Parliament, while Joaquim Alemao was re-nominated
from Cuncolim. This forced Churchill to contest under the banner of Save
Goa Front which he later dumped to join the Congress, similar is the
case of Vishwajit Rane who contested as an independent after being
denied the ticket as his father was re-nominated.
As of today the Congress party seems to have forgotten its own
resolution and have allotted party tickets to family members thereby
promoting and endorsing dynastic politics. It is really ironical that
India’s oldest party is susceptible to pressure and blackmail from
sitting MLAs and ministers. If the party does not hold its sway over it
MPs, ministers and MLAs then I think such a political party is not fit
to govern a state and even less a country.
Without a shadow of doubt, Digambar Kamat led government in the state
was the most corrupt government ever. This is not my perception or that
of the ‘aam admi’ only but has been endorsed by MGP hypocrites like
Sudin Dhavikar and his brother Dipak who have been part of the
government. Hypocrites because they shared the spoils for almost four
years and when it came to elections resigned from their plum lucrative
posts terming the government corrupt. Of course the machination and the
functioning of the Dhavlikar brothers is an open secret and they not any
better than others in government.
That apart let us analyze the performance of the ministers and MLAs that
have been successful in bagging Congress tickets for their families.
First and foremost all the legislators who introduced family members
into politics are alleged to have amassed wealth disproportionate to
their known source of income. Basically meaning these individuals have
made politics their business.
Babush Monserrate has brought in his wife Jennifer. He was nabbed and
detained at the Mumbai International Airport for allegedly trying to
smuggle huge amount of money in Indian and foreign currency. Where did
this money come from and what was the need to smuggle it, if it was his
tax paid cash. Does he have the requisite permission to deal in foreign
currency?
Churchill Alemao has used his money power and influence to bag ticket
for his daughter Valanka. Frontal organisation of the Congress National
Student Union of India member Sunil Kautankar has filed a criminal
complaint against Churchill Alemao alleging a scam of Rs. 300 crores in
the PWD. Fatorda BJP MLA Damodar Naik had raised the issue of
distribution of water tanks which he had alleged was a scam by the PWD
minister. There are lots other instances. Joaquim Alemao is not far
behind. His heist has been exposed by the High Court and Comptroller
Auditor General of India.
Incidentally controversies are not new to Valanka Alemao also. She
attracts controversies just like dogs attract fleas. Recently in an
interview with a local news channel she was asked about allegation about
being a collection agent of her father and her reply was, when in public
life opponents make such comments. Of course she also demanded proof.
Allegations are flying thick in the air about her being foul mouthed.
She was disqualified from contesting youth elections for using political
influence. But Congress party in its wisdom thought it right to allot a
party ticket to her.
Both the Ranes have been allotted Congress party tickets, besides,
Vishwajit has cornered as many as four tickets for his favourites.
Junior Rane has been the Health minister for almost the entire term, but
till today the government health care and its institutions are in
shambles. Lack of medicines, beds, bedsheets, indiscipline and inhuman
doctors and nurses adds to the woes of government hospitals. Instead of
strengthening administration and functioning in government hospitals and
health centres, Vishwajit Rane was more interested in bringing in
private players by abusing the public private partnership scheme (PPP),
alleged for personal benefit. Worst, he was more than willing to
handover huge tracts of land at GMC to Israeli firm dealing in arms and
armaments to set-up a hospital. And Congress party has trusted this man
whose one point agenda seems to be to sell Goa’s land mass.
Then comes Home minister Ravi Naik who has successfully cornered a
ticket for his son Ritesh Naik. During the entire tenure of Ravi Naik
has manoeuvred the police department down the hill. Police personnel has
been involved in drug deals, counterfeit currency, prostitution,
improper investigation of heinous crimes and murders at the police
station. Allegations are plenty that his own son Roy Naik is the kingpin
in drug trade in north Goa. The law and order during the last five years
has been abysmal. But the Congress party has rewarded him with an
additional ticket in his family.
Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar during his short tenure as the
Transport was allegedly involved in the High Security Registration Plate
scam and the High Court had to order the termination of the contract. It
is alleged that he arm twisted the Town and Country Planning department
to permit construction in the vicinity of Old Goa churches. And now he
has managed to secure a Congress ticket for his brother. Pandurang’s
wife is already the sarpanch of Old Goa.
The main contention of the Congress MLAs and ministers to bring in their
family members in politics is to bring in development. I cannot
understand when they themselves could not bring in development what more
could the family member do. The only explanation that comes to my mind
is that these minister and MLAs will use numbers to blackmail the
government and amass wealth. (ENDS)
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First published in Gomantak Times, Goa - February 9, 2012
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