Though elections are still three months away, the political slugfest has already begun, and it seems like many more such leaders will be in Goa in the coming days.
As this article was written, BJP Minister Nitin Gadkari has already landed in Goa.
So now, let’s put our demands straight; so far, all that has been promised is hypothetical and cannot become a reality. Neither Congress nor BJP will stop coal and mining totally as it is not legally tenable. Secondly, Pramod Sawant has also promised 10k jobs, which too seems far from reality.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemakrponn
Last weekend, we saw a start-studded lineup of political leaders who descended on Goa to pitch their respective political parties ahead of the 2022 Assembly polls.
We saw Congress president Rahul. Gandhi met the fisherfolks in Velaao to address their issues; we saw Mamata Banerjee also wooing the fisherfolks in Malim.
We also saw the drama of Rahul Gandhi taking a lift from a motorcycle pilot and Mamata didi on a temple run in Goa.
She visited almost three temples to please the Hindu voters in Goa, thereby suggesting her party was secular.
There was also the controversy of her insulting the “tirth” at one temple.
While Gandhi promised Goa would not be allowed to become a coal hub, Mamata promised jobs, mining policy, etc.
Amidst all this, BJP also invited their young firebrand politician Tejaswi Surya.
As an MP and BJYM president did not promise much but was basically here to attack Gandhi and Mamata.
In all, it was a nightmare for Goa Police to. manage crowds.
Though elections are still three months away, the political slugfest has already begun, and it seems like many more such leaders will be in Goa in the coming days.
As this article was written, BJP Minister Nitin Gadkari has already landed in Goa.
So now, let’s put our demands straight; so far, all that has been promised is hypothetical and cannot become a reality. Neither Congress nor BJP will stop coal and mining totally as it is not legally tenable. Secondly, Pramod Sawant has also promised 10k jobs, which too seems far from reality.
Now, as the political leaders arrive in Goa, our demands and questions for them are:
- What is their stand on three linear projects in Mollem?
- Are you going to scrap them if voted to power?
- Will coal handing at MPT be stopped completely?
- How do they plan to restart mining in Goa?
- Would the new government fight to save River Mhadei from diversion by Karnataka?
- What steps would they take to check environmental degradation in Goa?
- What would they do to stop illegal land conversions?
- Plans to revive Goan economy?
- What is their stand on off-shore and on-shore casinos?
- What would they do to generate employment in Goa?
- What would they do to stop the sale of land to non-Goans?
- Their stand on.Special Status to Goa to protect its identity?
These are a few questions every Goans must ask the leaders who arrive in the coming days.
Though there are several regional parties in the State of Goa like Goa Forward and MGP, one has to admit no government can be formed without the support of national parties like Congress and BJP.
Hence, whichever government comes, Goa would be continued to be ruled from Delhi.
For this very reason, we need to question the leaders on the core issue, which has been niggling Goa and taking the State of Goa on the verge of bankruptcy.
Though Special status is an unlikely possibility in present prevailing circumstances in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to answer why he backtracked on his promise in 2014 of Special status to Goa?
The leaders coming and delivering the statements written by someone else will not help. This, at most times, is just a white lie.
We need answers to our questions and not mere rhetoric. We have had enough of that in the past. Goans have to understand that their bargaining time is now and the next would come only after five years.
If we want a government, who works for us. It’s our time to question and choose the best.
Trying to rectify after committing a mistake would never help, and we would be left just criticising for the next 5 years…