After the Congress failed to form the government in 2017 it was mandatory for Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi, especially, to come down and boost the morale of the party leaders, workers and the voters. But that was not to be. At one time it looked like the GPCC was an orphaned child abandoned by the AICC.
That was the main reason why the MLAs too decided to switch their honesty as leadership showed no interest in Goa.
If not in 2017, at least in 2019, after 10 MLAs quit to join BJP, it was necessary for the Gandhis to come down and reassure the voters, console them. But no, the Gandhis felt it not necessary.
In the last four and half years the Gandhis did not have any meeting in Goa. It isn’t that they did not come to the State. They did come but just for holidays. no official meetings, no discussions with party chief in Goa or leader of Opposition leader, no advise. It seemed like Goa was only a holiday destination for them.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
As expected Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has landed in Goa to boost the enthusiasm of the party workers in Goa.
This was long overdue and much needed as the Congress workers in the State looked clueless with leader after leader exiting the party for greener pastures. However, the AICC and the Gandhis failed to stop the exodus right from 2017.
One may question whether the Gandhis have left it too late to address the issues of State Congress? When the party needed the most the Gandhis were found missing.
They either left it to Digvijay Singh, Dinesh Gundu Rao and later P Chidambaram but the three leaders failed to keep the flock together.
After the Congress failed to form the government in 2017 it was mandatory for Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi, especially, to come down and boost the morale of the party leaders, workers and the voters. But that was not to be. At one time it looked like the GPCC was an orphaned child abandoned by the AICC.
That was the main reason why the MLAs too decided to switch their honesty as leadership showed no interest in Goa.
If not in 2017, at least in 2019, after 10 MLAs quit to join BJP, it was necessary for the Gandhis to come down and reassure the voters, console them. But no, the Gandhis felt it not necessary.
In the last four and half years the Gandhis did not have any meeting in Goa. It isn’t that they did not come to the State. They did come but just for holidays. no official meetings, no discussions with party chief in Goa or leader of Opposition leader, no advise. It seemed like Goa was only a holiday destination for them.
Nonetheless, just as another elections arrive closer Rahul Gandhi has arrived in Goa. One wonders whether winning election is only agenda for Rahul Gandhi? They have no responsibility towards the welfare of workers, voters?
It’s a pity that core party workers like Sankalp Amonkar, Amarnath Panjikar, Janardan Bhandari and many others despite being ignored time and again have stood by the party giving their precious time and money.
Workers like these need appreciation, rewards and above all support of AICC to keep Congress flag flying high.
After snatching defeat from jaws of victory in 2017, the Congress vote bank has diminished and the parties like AAP and TMC have consolidated their position.
The Congress’ “unfruitful” victory in 2017 has actually strengthened the BJP and other parties and the Congress leaders themselves were responsible for finishing the party in Goa.
Agreed, people are revolting against BJP, protesting, agitating but the Congress has not been able to use that to its advantage.
While that was in the past, if Congress wants the people’s support now, they need to convince people that they would work hard and more importantly give tickets to honest candidates and keep the flock together after winning.
Gathering crowd of 20000 to 30000 is not great. It is a minuscule number considering 11 lakh voters in Goa. Also there is no guarantee all those 30,000 would vote for Congress candidates.
What is important is what Rahul Gandhi talks, how he tries to convince people? What strategy he adopts to get back the lost workers? What decision he makes on alliance?
If Gandhi just comes, gives a contemporary speech at Velsao and leaves it would have no meaning. People would forget that in few days.
As Prashant Kishor said that Rahul Gandhi has to realise BJP is going nowhere, they are here stay for decades. Gandhi has to seriously accept reality and take remedial measures.
Gone are the days when parties won elections on symbols. Today, what matters is honesty of individuals and above all strong leadership which the Congress lacks.
