After over two months of dilly-dallying and uncertainty, a group of eight Congress legislators that constituted two-thirds of the party strength switched sides to the BJP, triggering angry emotions among sections. Disgraceful! Shameful! Betrayal! were the words used by the populace as the eight Congressmen signed up as BJP leaders.
Goan politics has hit a new low. Defection politics surfaced yet again, despite the reassurances by each Congress MLA and their vows in temples and churches. As a result, while BJP has strengthened its numbers further, the Congress has plummeted into a helpless and deplorable State, with only three legislators representing the party now.
The question is whether the Congress party should take the blame for raising legislators who have no sense of responsibility towards the party and the voters they stand for. Or whether one should blame the BJP for engineering a surgical split in the Opposition with the sole ambition of breaking it apart. Is Congress Todo an answer to Bharat Jodo?
Defections are always the handiwork of those with selfish political motives that override all ideologies and moralities. But this defection plot is despicable because it comes against the backdrop of legislators riding to power on an anti-defection wave and then defecting themselves. This is in sheer disrespect to both the party and the voter.
Interestingly, the current set of defecting legislators had some unique reasoning put forth to justify their moves. Margao MLA Digambar Kamat's reaction was the pick of the lot when he said that "he sought God's opinion, and was given a message to go ahead". Calangute MLA Michael Lobo appears to be suddenly inspired by the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi; a sentiment also echoed by Kamat later. Finally, Santa Cruz MLA Rudolf Fernandes claimed that he did it in the interest of his constituency to get jobs for his locals.
The bluff is clear as daylight. The question is clearly about power, nothing else. The defectors have not only made a joke of democracy but also exposed themselves with their mediocre and pretentious talk of development and jobs. The argument of not being offered cabinet berths or other hefty perks pales out, given the consequences each one would be facing. Legislators shifting parties for the greater good of people and mere social service are myths. We haven't heard of defections for political charity.
It is time the electorate seeks accountability for such decisions and holds their MLAs responsible because defection by a two-thirds majority has set a horrible precedent leaving the voter with no choice. If people have the bravado to take to the streets to protect the environment and even face the law, it's time to show courage against betrayers and speak up instead of accepting this meekly. A deterrent has to be set by the people. It's time the electorate raises its voices and be heard loud and clear.
