Member of Parliament from North Goa, Shripad Naik, who won the seat for a record sixth time, over-riding concerns of anti-incumbency, has been appointed as the Union Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy, an appointment which the veteran leader sees as a promotion over his earlier positions held as minister for State. He has earlier held independent charge of the Ayush Ministry and was the Union Minister of State for Tourism, Ports, Shipping and Waterways in the previous regimes of Narendra Modi.
Shripad’s popularity across North Goa has been beyond doubt, and the over-a-lakh margin of victory in the just concluded Lok Sabha election is testimony of his popularity in the taluka. From being accessible, and down to earth, Naik enjoys an unblemished political career and is seen as a man of few words.
On the flip side, the veteran leader who now pads up for yet another innings in Parliament, has often faced criticism over being silent on major issues of the State. Naik has refused to be drawn into issues like linear projects, CRZ regulations, Mhadei water diversion, twin airports, dual citizenship, mining resumption and land controversies. Such silence could be deafening because people expect their representatives to back them in crunch situations and take up issues at appropriate forums. In a double-engine regime, Shripad was expected to be a crucial link between the people he represents and the Centre.
In the run-up to the recent elections, his opponent and INDIA bloc candidate Ramakant Khalap drew a contrast between his 18-month tenure as an MP and the 25 years of Naik at the Centre. Khalap pointed out that Naik failed to raise even a single issue concerning Goa. Naik may take the credit for the Ayush hospital in Goa and boast of mediating in other projects in the State, including Manohar International Airport at Mopa, but he has never been at the forefront of public issues.
Now that Naik has been appointed as the Union Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy, a lot is expected from him, especially when the State is drawing power from other states, and more importantly, Goa has been perennially facing transmission issues that add to the misery of common citizens. The power scenario has not been bright despite the double-engine Sarkar chugging along in unison and much will depend on how Naik uses his good office to turn the tide.
Interestingly, soon after being awarded his new portfolio on Monday, Naik admitted that the State government failed to convince the people of Goa of the need for the Tamnar transmission project. He mentions that there was no awareness made among people to educate them on how the project would change the power situation. Naik may be candid in pointing out a failure, but he has to admit his failure too, being a senior and veteran leader. The statement itself speaks of disengagement with the local leadership.
MPs need to be vocal about issues that affect their home States and their people, they need to seize opportunities and catch the attention of central leadership. Maximum utilisation of funds is not an achievement that an MP should be proud of by any yardstick. If leaders have to leave a mark before they sign off, it is through consistent deliberation, bargaining and fierce engagement at the Centre. The 'silence is golden’ rule does not hold good in governance.
