Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu touched upon some broad aspects of democracy and the need to respect institutions while inaugurating the newly constructed Durbar Hall in the precincts of Raj Bhavan. While appealing to public representatives to maintain dignity and moral ethics in public life, he called out for patience and respect for people's mandate. “We must follow the ethics, do justice and not indulge in any agitations and violation which may result in breaking the laws”, he said. The VP also highlighted Goa’s natural beauty, extensive forest cover, diversity of flora and fauna and rich cultural heritage.
Naidu was largely advocating a peaceful parliamentary regime and the urgency to protect the dignity of parliament and legislatures. In Goa, and especially when it comes to the Durbar Hall inauguration, it would have been apt for the VP to dwell on the need of respecting people’s mandate vis-Ã -vis defections and the party-hopping culture that Goa has gained notoriety for. It was important because this is the very place where ministers will take oaths and swear to honour the mandate. Having patience and respecting people’s mandate are different components of a democracy stressed by Naidu, but the need of the hour in Goa is to drive home the point that elected representatives cannot violate that mandate.
Much was expected from the Vice-President at a time when Goa is going through a fierce debate over defections and mergers because that’s the one issue that is weighing heavily on the minds of the political class and the electorate. This is an issue that forced the political class into temples and churches to reassure people and an issue that has kept the debate raging despite the High Court's intervention. The topic of violating people’s mandate exploiting loopholes in the constitution currently holds greater priority to most of the issues raised at the inaugural.
Secondly, the praise heaped by Naidu on Goa's environment and ecosystem is heartening, but again, the ground reality has been far different. The VP may be perhaps unaware that a large section of Goa's populace is fighting relentlessly to save the depleting greenery and the natural beauty of the State. Perhaps the VP is unaware that a good 40 lakhs sqmts of dunes have overnight disappeared from Goa's coastal landscape and that Goans are still at war over a flawed coastal plan. The VP is unaware that trees have been cut and forest cover lost in the pursuit of reckless development. The VP seems to have no clue of a grim battle being fought in the background to save Goa’s heritage and Goanness.
National leaders come down to Goa and often speak of our heritage, the greenery, the warmth of people, hospitality and the distinct identity of the State in copybook style. The harsh reality never surfaces, neither does the struggle of people in the background to save whatever remains of this heavenly coastal State. It's time senior leaders like Naidu face this reality of Goa.
