Congress free India?
The successive defeats of Congress Party in various state elections, leaving only Karnataka for fend for itself, highlights the state of a party not ready to accept the harsh reality for the reasons of its downfall. The Congress Party has paid dearly for its dependence solely on the Gandhi family for its survival and public support when other parties have managed to pull the masses towards them. It looks like the golden era of the Congress Party has come to an end due to its own weight and its stubborn leaders not ready to accept the truth and start afresh with renewed vigor and vitality to recover its lost ground among the people. In Goa, the same old guards still call the shots and vie for party tickets even after their disastrous performance in 2012 when Goans gave a decisive mandate for the BJP. Talk of fresh faces seems a ploy to fool the people at a time when there is not a single Congress leader trying to make a serious effort to gain people’s support. The Def Expo agitation saw some Congress leaders squatting on the ground only to vanish under the threat of an FIR by the government. Mere talks, padhyatras or candle light vigils are not going to resurrect the Congress Party still suffering the trauma and hangover of its humiliation in 2012 elections. Under the present Congress guard, their attitude and policies it would not be a surprise if the BJP’s vision to have a “Congress Mukt Bharat” becomes a resounding success.
Allwyn Jorge, Carmona
Politician priests
The Aam Admi Party (AAP) in Goa has announced its ‘dream team’ of 40 who will be the party face in each of the constituencies in the state and probably the party candidates for the assembly elections. However it is understood that the 2017 elections could reportedly witness a Catholic priest taking a formal plunge in politics and also be the candidate for the AAP in one of the constituencies. The question to be asked is whether it is morally and spiritually proper for a Catholic priest to do this. It is pertinent to note that one of the prime reasons why the Roman Catholic Church does not advocate marriage for the priests is because an unmarried man is not distracted by the things of the world. If a priest desires to do social work and serve the people of all faith he can do it even without being actively involved in politics. What does the church in Goa have to say about priests contesting the elections?
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Essential service
There is a protest by the Drishti lifeguards almost every year, where they claim that they are not given proper wages. The CM has said that they are not government employees but private ones, but why is there this confusion then? If they are an essential service under ESMA then the government should ensure adequate wages and proper working conditions. Goa has a massive coastline and it’s imperative that the people are protected on the beach. The lifeguards serve this purpose and as such shouldn’t have to constantly fight for their rights.
Bhushan Kamat, Panaji
