THE YEAR GONE BY…
Amidst all this chaos, the Cold War began between Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. The two spoke on a different tone altogether as the Opposition started targetting only the CM.
Instead of supporting CM and managing things, the Health Minister went to the International media to target the Chief Minister.
The Health Minister wanted to settle the score with CM as he was not clearing his bills and took away his “scandalous” Oxygen management.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
Box…
QUOTE OF THE YEAR….
Replying to a calling attention motion by the Opposition in the Assembly, Sawant said, “Ten people went to a party on the beach of which six went home, and four stayed back all night — two boys and two girls. They are 14-year-old children. Parents in Goa should also think about this. They also need to take care. You cannot blame only the government and police. If 14-15 year-olds stay on the beach all night, we need to think about this. Parents are also responsible.”
CM repeated this, saying, “It is the responsibility of parents also. They should take responsibility while sending minor children out.”
It was yet another year filled with controversies for the incumbent Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant and his BJP government.
As was 2020, 2021 also began with the COVID19 cases slowly beginning to climb, as was the case with the entire country.
Around this time, the protests against the three-linear projects in Mollem were also at its peak, but the BJP emerged victorious in municipal polls despite this.
COVID19 Mayhem…
For the first two months, the hike was gradual, but as summer approached in March and April, the cases saw a steep increase with the health authorities found wanting.
As May started, the Mayhem began, people started losing their near and dear ones as there was a complete shortage of Oxygen. The deaths increased in the wee-hour of nights as “suspiciously” the Oxygen levels dipped at one particular time between 2 am to 6 am.
There were no hospital beds available and no medicines, no ambulances to shift the patients and only a few people and places available for burials too.
CM-HM Cold War…
Amidst all this chaos, the Cold War began between Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. The two spoke on a different tone altogether as the Opposition started targetting only the CM.
Instead of supporting CM and managing things, the Health Minister went to the International media to target the Chief Minister.
The Health Minister wanted to settle the score with CM as he was not clearing his bills and took away his “scandalous” Oxygen management.
Goemkarponn had exposed how the HM had given the Oxygen contract to one supplier M/s Scoop Industries, who failed to supply Oxygen in the hour of crisis.
Benaulim Gangrape…
After the COVID19 crisis somehow came under control after losing 1729 lives in May itself, another controversy hit the Sawant government: a gang rape at Benaulim and the death of Mapusa girl Siddhi Naik.
While the Benaulim gangrape was in the wee morning hours when the two girls were out partying with friends in a secluded place at night, the Chief Minister’s comments that parents were responsible for sending minor children added fuel to the fire.
Replying to a calling attention motion by the Opposition in the Assembly, Sawant said, “Ten people went to a party on the beach of which six went home, and four stayed back all night — two boys and two girls. They are 14-year-old children. Parents in Goa should also think about this. They also need to take care. You cannot blame only the government and police. If 14-15 year-olds stay on the beach all night, we need to think about this. Parents are also responsible.”
CM repeated this, saying, “It is the responsibility of parents also. They should take responsibility while sending minor children out.”
Siddhi Naik case…
Soon as Goa was dealing with this shocking case came another shocker of a local Mapusa girl Siddhi Naik’s body being found on Calangute beach in a semi-nude position.
The Opposition and social activists targetted the CM again as he is the Home Minister.
The case became another headache for CM as the police and doctors even failed to preserve the viscera of the deceased for further investigations.
For the last six months, the police have failed to get any clue in the case. After immense pressure from society and parents, a murder case was registered two months after finding the dead body.
Old Goa illegal construction…
After the Siddhi Naik case, the State Government also came under pressure on the Old Goa illegal construction case.
The case involved the BJP National Spokesperson Shaina NC’s husband and former Goa Forward treasurer Suraj Lotlikar’s wife as they had started an illegal construction in No Development Zone or buffer zone of the protected area.
After public pressure, agitation by Save Old Goa Action Committee and indefinite hunger strike by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Amit Palekar, the government, through TCP, withdrew permissions and licences for the controversial structure.
The Political developments…
Being the election year, 2021 saw hectic political activities with several. MLA’s, leaders switching loyalties from one party to another.
The year also saw the rise of Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party. After a dismal show in 2017, the AAP did not lose hope and stayed put to continue its work and has successfully gotten sound support from the people.
The biggest catch for the AAP was the BJP’s Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha, who resigned and joined AAP.
They also got the prize catch of Congress’ Pratima Coutinho and Mahadev Naik.
The Arvind Kejriwal guarantees on electricity, pilgrimage and jobs has rattled the BJP government and forced them to make counter declarations ahead of polls.
While AAP and BJP grew stronger Congress, leaders continued to desert the Congress.
The entry of TMC into Goa has further damaged the Congress with the top leaders like Luizinho Faleiro, ALexio Reginald Lourenco, both of whom resigned as MLAs to join the West Bengal based party.
Not just two, the TMC also got many Congress supporters.
The BJP continued to dominate Goa politics even after the 2017 debacle.
In 2021 they consolidated their position with the Municipal election victory, almost decimating the Congress.
In the MLA transfer window, the BJP got the prize catch of Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaocar, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte and Ponda MLA Ravi Naik.
Amidst the political development, what still remained uncertain in 2021 was whether Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo would stay with the BJP.
He has been spewing venom at his own party as is said to be in talks with the Congress as BJP has refused a second ticket to his wife from Siolim.
Not just Michael, there are many claimers for more than one seat in BJP, and with 2022 starting, the BJP will have to deal with all this in the first week of the year itself.
