The 78.70 per cent voting percentage at the panchayat election is a very positive sign and shows an increasing level of people’s involvement in grass-root bodies. Images of elderly people being brought in to vote, some in wheelchairs, only go to highlight how seriously these elections have been taken by candidates and voters. The polling may have gone off peacefully, but it has left bitter rivalries between individuals and groups that only time could heal. While in several panchayats there has been a no-holds-barred contest between friends, family members and aides of legislators, all eyes would now be focused on the Friday results since allegiances will surface only then.
Much against the initial expectation of the Opposition parties launching an offensive, the election turned out to be a contest between individuals of varied affiliations except for a few segments where the BJP and some legislators flexed muscle. Parties have stayed away from taking a direct plunge for political reasons, and that is obvious.
Interestingly, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant who cast his vote at Kothambi-Pale stated that panchayat polls are not about politics while maintaining that the grass bodies are key centres for rural development. There is no denying that panchayats are indeed crucial in Goa’s village development story, but the question is why are successive governments not heeding pleas for devolution of powers — from Zilla panchayats to village panchayats. Contrary to the CM’s statement, panchayats in Goa have been powerless centres.
The enthusiasm reflected in the election would largely be attached to attaining a political or a social status that is attached to it and may be for some, it could open up avenues of corruption. However, in the larger frame, development via grass root bodies remains a myth, because till now panchayats are handling ordinary jobs that are not even remotely connected to the overall development. Goa is among the very few States that have not empowered its panchayats to take decisions on 29 subjects, including land reforms, health, family welfare and education. If we may recall, it was in February 2020 that Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho assured us that devolution of powers will happen beginning with the maintenance of government primary schools.
Interestingly, CM’s assertions of panchayat elections not being political come against the backdrop of the BJP making grandiose plans to celebrate wins of candidates in Panaji with its customary garlanding and photo ops with Sawant. If this is not a reflection of politics, what is?
The fate of over 5,000 candidates has been sealed, and may the deserving emerge as winners. We only hope that the purpose of being elected as a ward member, or even a Sarpanch, has sunk in with the aspirants. Social work is community service and not self-service. That is the commitment that is needed from each one, no matter which party or alignment one belongs to. It’s time to shun the rhetoric of development and get down to the basics.
