What was Chief Minister Pramod Sawant trying to achieve by wrongly quoting Late Manohar Parrikar while attempting to defend the double-tracking project of South Western Railways? In an interview on national television, Sawant stressed the fact that Parrikar did not say no to the proposal, and went on to explain that the former CM only expressed concerns of people losing their homes on account of laying of the second track.
Contrary to what Sawant had stated, it is on record that the Chief Conservator of Forests had rejected the proposal in 2013 citing danger to wildlife in the Bhagwan Mahavir National Park. There is also Parrikar's assent to the note stating that the State government is not in agreement with the proposal. That's not all. Parrikar had openly slammed the double-tracking project as a fraud and spoke on how it was intended to benefit a few industries and the MPT while arguing on State not being a beneficiary in the plan.
Sawant's concoction of facts reflects poor leadership, mainly because he attempted to salvage his pride using a leader of the stature of Parrikar, a CM who had an immense following across communities and was at a different wave-length with people. Going by simple logic, recalling decisions of the past is futile in the current scenario where political intricacies and public sentiments are different.
In the current age of the internet, data-sharing, quick fact-check, and fast recall, leaders cannot engage in sophism. They need to be sharp and accurate and back their statements with genuine material. People are not going to gulp down whatever is thrown at them, not anymore. By fabricating a script from the past, Sawant tried to cushion the resentment he is facing but ended up causing an unnecessary embarrassment to himself.
Parrikar stood a tall figure because of his authoritative style of functioning and astute leadership. He backed his statements with facts and statistics and had data at his fingertips. And although he faced fierce public issues like river nationalization and Mhadei water-sharing in his last stint, he still managed to have the confidence of people. By manipulating the past and creating an illusion of truth, Sawant has exposed himself to more ridicule. The cracks of distrust are only widening.
As a result of such inaccuracies, the few positive steps taken towards coal reduction at MPT have been negated. While there is a directive to the Goa State Pollution Control Board to check the pollution levels at the site, the 'failed' Parrikar reference only reflects Sawant's resolve behind double-tracking.
The question here is what good is the government going to achieve by using past references on double-tracking? Goa's landscape has changed drastically over the years, and people have become more sensitive to their motherland and environment. There's no point looking back. People have a fundamental right to expression, and that has to be respected.
Time will inevitably uncover dishonesty and lies; history has no place for them, wrote Norodom Sihanouk, one of the renowned leaders and former King of Cambodia. It's time our leaders stay honest to the people.
