Goa, the smallest state in India in terms of area, is a spatially distinct piece of land bordering the West of the Arabian sea. After approximately 400 years, the Portuguese province became a part of India in 1961 while valuably retaining the socio-cultural influence of its erstwhile reign. Its composite heritage remains an asset to the incredible syncretic culture of India. While the vibrant matrix remains in place, the bedrock of Goa’s economy, namely tourism and mining, on the other hand, has been irredeemably hit by the pandemic. Judicial decisions likewise have catalysed the menace of unemployment and a relational branching out of severe problems like drug abuse, out-migration etc. This economic turmoil in the state redirects us to the current political scenario in Goa, which is vibrantly prepping up for the upcoming state assembly elections due on February 14, since most of the political participants have ingeniously manifested economic progress as part of their agenda.
The recovery of the economy that happens to be in near shambles, has been the most appealing promise so far. Despite routine pleas from the various stakeholders, the ban on mining following the expiry of mining lease and allegations of illegal extractions, might not be revoked anytime soon by the Supreme Court, thereby exacerbating the debt crisis of over 20,000 crores of outstanding loans that the State is due to repay. While on the political front, for a long duration Goa’s political mandate remained with regional parties until 1980 when Congress defeated the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party by a majority. Since then, various parties have held Goa’s reins. BJP’s comeback with Manohar Parikkar was received well by the people in 2012 hence, BJP didn’t have to look back. But to the dismay of the current incumbent Pramod Sawant led BJP government in Goa, things are a little topsy-turvy as they are currently trying to hold ground in the face of turgid political vicissitudes not just from external competitors but from within too, in the form of resignations and defections.
source: wikimedia
According to the Association of Democratic Reforms, 67% of the elected representatives in the 40-member house switched sides in the present term, which is a record number. In the last couple of months, Congress lost several MLAs, amounting to nearly 16, like Jennifer Monserrate, Neelkanth Halarnkar, Francisco Silveria etc., most of whom joined BJP. In a recent development, Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco, whose candidature had already been announced by Congress, came back to its parent party after having switched to TMC. However, despite being the beneficiary of such defections, a handful of BJP MLAs primarily from Christian backgrounds and Christian dominated constituencies too, have chosen to quit the party over allegations concerning deliberate side-lining of such members, non-redressal of Christian minority issues, a dwindling support base of BJP in Christian-dominated constituencies etc. Some have also cited the dilution of leadership after the demise of the much-revered Manohar Parikkar. Such key elements are on the verge of being wooed and absorbed by established ones like Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and that novel in the land parties like Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) etc, some of which have been partly successful in such an endeavour. After being denied tickets from their parent parties some candidates like Utpal Parikkar, son of former Goa CM Manohar Parikkar, Isidore Fernandez, the Deputy Speaker, Deepak Pauskar, PWD Minister in the present BJP led government, Vinod Palienkar etc., some of whom currently hold ministerial positions.
Alongside, several other allegations by opposition parties on grounds of massive corruption in the Public Works section, incapable handling of Goa’s oxygen crisis during the Second Wave of the Pandemic, tackling unemployment, protests against unsustainable environmental projects leading to loss of floral and faunal assets of the Western Ghats, have relentlessly bugged the present government despite its claim of having vaccinated the eligible population at the earliest, attempts at reviving economy etc. While most of the contending parties have resorted to the populist method of inviting holistic suggestions for their respective manifestos from the public either through official website platforms, social media handles, some have adopted methods like the rallying of Sankalp Petiacross across constituencies like the BJP. Through this, the incumbent planned to organise and disperse ministers for public interaction and grievance redressal that are currently on hold due to the worsening pandemic situation again.
The debutante TMC functioning under party’s state incharge Mohua Moitra, has women empowerment on the cards, both in the state assembly and lifestyle, in its manifesto, to realise which the Griha Laxmi scheme, where a guaranteed direct transfer of Rs. 5000 to the accounts of women head of the families, much along the lines of Bengal’s Lakshmi Bhandar scheme which directly benefits a substantial part of the middle and lower class women in Bengal. Among others, an increase in the government subsidy to the fishing community, the statement of Fisherman’s Welfare Board and rights against the outside, extra-commercial fishing etc. was also called for. It is fighting the polls in alliance with MGP and has fielded two lists in which former Goa Forward Party (GFP) leaders like Kavita Kandolkar, Jagdish Bhobe etc. figure prominently in strong constituencies. Leander Paes’ entry into TMC has already grabbed eyeballs but to our astonishment his name doesn’t figure neither in the 69- member state committee nor in the candidate lists released so far. Similarly, former CM Luizinho Faleiro, TMC member in Rajya Sabha has not found any mention in the two lists.
Congress’ supremo Rahul Gandhi’s conversation with the ebullient fisher folk of Goa seemed to take cognisance of their commercial inabilities. Like TMC, Gandhi too promised some concrete action to revive law and order, secure jobs for the youth and steps against bull trawling, high-speed China engines that are used illegally by border folks to encroach upon fishing lands. The sensitive and raging issue of the alleged imposition of one nation, one religion, one language, one food habit by the party in power, was amply discussed followed by reassurance and resistance to the same under Congress. To counter unemployment, measures to curtail the outmigration of talented Goansmade place in the manifesto. It’s list of candidates too, features defected candidates like former BJP MLA Carlose Almeida, former AAP Goa convenor Elvis Gomes and the Political heavyweights Michael Lobo and his wife Delilah Lobo.
The MGP too was planning a pre-poll alliance with BJP opposing parties but talks seem currently to be on hold. Nationalist Congress Party’s Sharad Pawar, too has indicated some alliance talks at the table. So far, AAP, much along the lines of its Delhi manifesto, has offered free electricity up to 300 units per month, free pilgrimages employment guarantee for locals and financial support schemes for women over 18 years and an increase in the Griha Aadhar allowance from Rs. 1500-2500 per month in Goa. The six list of candidates released till date, manifests defectors like Alinha Saldanha, Viswajit Rane etc., from BJP, professionals like lawyers, minor portfolio holders of the present Sawant government. Arvind Kejriwal, recently announced Amit Palekar as the CM candidate for the party and has decided to throw full support to several independent candidates.
Thus, these major players seem to be rendering a lot of vitality to questions of women empowerment, restoration of law and order, tackling safety issues and opening avenues for securing livelihood by private and public sector employment opportunities for the locals that have largely come to a halt due to falling tourism. The immediate issue at hand is, however, the need for restoration of the tottering debt-ridden economy in order to help thousands secure their livelihood. Outside parties like AAP, TMC who’re immensely popular in their states are making humongous efforts to entice the Goansand to expand ideologically. The only question that remains however is, whether the promises will be sincerely delivered and if unwarranted weightage on religion and political mudslinging will help reach promising ends. But as conscious fellow citizens, we must keep our fingers crossed and retain our faith in the decision of Goa’s public which has always been adroit and pragmatic in approach if one draws upon the past experiences and trajectory of mandates since 1963.
From Dhanbad, a history graduate from LSR. Currently a first year Masters student in Delhi University. I religiously experiment with cuisines! I spend my free time drooling over fictional characters and listening to music. Personally follow and urge everyone to follow the 'live and let live' principle in life. Current Role: interning with ITISARAS as a writer. Ultimate goal: To help create consciousness about animal-welfare and be of help in the strive for universal education. Biggest achievement: helping an adolescent with no educational background learn the basics of language, to read and write. Educational Qualification: History graduate, currently a Masters student at Delhi University.
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