AERIAL VIEW
Prima facie, it seems like Goa is headed for another fractured mandate with so many candidates leaving the electorates confused.
It looks like no party would get a clear majority as Manohar Parrikar’s BJP did in 2012.
The BJP is facing, despite carrying out a lot of development works in Goa, has been facing anti-incumbency.
Many political parties have strategically supported independent candidates to cut into the opponent’s votes.
But seriously, the fractured mandate is bad for democracy as it gives rise to horse-trading. The MLAs make money, and the voters, who fight amongst themselves, are left disappointed.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
So finally, Goa will choose who will rule them from the 301 candidates who have been left in the fray after the last day of withdrawals on Monday. The voting for Goa is scheduled for February 14.
On average, there are around 8.5 candidates in all 40 constituencies.
Siolim has the highest number of candidates contesting with 13 nominations, while Sanquelim, currently represented by CM Dr Pramod Sawant, has 12 candidates. Cuncolim is third with 10 candidates.
Mandrem, Pernem, Maem, Vasco, Cortalim and Navelim have nine candidates each.
BJP, Congress, AAP, MGP, Goa Forward, RG, Shiv Sena & NCP are contesting polls in Goa.
BJP, for the first time, is contesting all 40 seats along with AAP; the TMC-MGP alliance is contesting 39 seats and supports one independent in the Panaji seat for Utpal Parrikar.
On the other hand, Congress is contesting 37 seats while three have been given to alliance partner Goa Forward.
The new party Revolutionary Goans party (RGP) is contesting all 40 seats and is confident of forming a government.
Around 67 candidates are contesting independent across Goa.
The prominent names amongst the independents are former Congressman Alexio Reginald Lourenco from Curtorim, Utpal Parrikar from Panaji and Ricardo Joseph D’Souza from Calangute.
Prima facie, it seems like Goa is headed for another fractured mandate with so many candidates leaving the electorates confused.
It looks like no party would get a clear majority as Manohar Parrikar’s BJP did in 2012.
The BJP is facing, despite carrying out a lot of development works in Goa, has been facing anti-incumbency.
Many political parties have strategically supported independent candidates to cut into the opponent’s votes.
But seriously, the fractured mandate is bad for democracy as it gives rise to horse-trading. The MLAs make money, and the voters who fight within themselves are left disappointed.
If I may quote Mr Manohar Parrikar, who said in an interview with a national newspaper, “It is for the people of Goa to think and ponder over the future. They will have to ensure that a single political party gets the mandate in future. If not me, let them give the mandate to Congress. I have no issue. A single political party being elected to power is a solution, not a fractured mandate; it cannot be technically accepted and healthy for a long-term solution for Goa.”
He had added, “I have come, for instance, I may handle this fractured mandate for five years; I am going to do something, fine. Can I be there for 50 years? You develop political parties and a culture of stability by giving a clear mandate, and a continued fractured mandate leads manipulative politics to develop. What we [Goans] today are suffering is the consequence of repeated fractured mandates. There are too many manipulations, too many compromises have taken place, a lot of adjustments are made when a mandate is fractured.”
Interestingly, it was Parrikar who masterminded to form
a government in 2017, with all manipulations tying up with MGP, Goa Forward and independents. Nonetheless, his quote above is worth giving food for thought.
Goans have to vote in once vice either BJP or Congress or AAP or RG, the voting has to be for the single-party so that there is no horse-trading, moe development and stability.
A fractured mandate will also mean that the next CM will not have a free hand to bring our dwindling economy on track, development, solve employment issues etc.
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