TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane has stepped on the gas against alleged land illegalities of Opposition Leader Michael Lobo and has threatened to raze down the two resorts owned by him. Rane added that show-cause notices have been issued and if “correct answers” are not received, he would try to bring down the structures during his tenure.
The seriousness and anger against land illegalities seem to be written all over Rane’s actions, and he has begun his innings as the TCP minister on a war footing. Moreover, there has been an engagement of stakeholders, planners and officers. Rane has assured that he will table the report on the floor of the House.
So far, so good. But it is to be seen how far he takes this mission of bringing the illegalities to book. It is to be also seen whether the crackdown is restricted to just a few including Lobo, or whether it would cover all and sundry, including the real estate giants, land lobbies and builders who are hiding under the table having committed bigger sins of commission and omission. It is to be seen whether Rane sets his eyes beyond Baga and Calangute and has the firepower to launch similar offensives against those within the party having dubious records.
Cleansing the Goan landscape of such illegalities needs an iron will and unflinching commitment that spans beyond boundaries, biases or rivalries. More important is these actions need to be taken to their logical conclusion.
Notices may have been issued, and it is for Lobo to respond and come clean. Questioning the suspension of ODPs cleared by the earlier regime may sound like a logical argument, but it lacks merit to hold Lobo's defence against alleged illegality. Instead of seeking the intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Lobo needs to be accountable especially because he was a senior minister in that regime. He has to stand up to this test and come clean instead of questioning the minister about opening up past files. The TCP minister is doing his job, and Lobo must understand that he has to do his. There can't be a third umpire at this moment.
On the flip side, this could be Rane’s moment of reckoning. After having faced several allegations in the Health Ministry, the TCP has provided a golden opportunity for him to salvage his reputation and win back the confidence of people in a manner that no other minister could do in recent times. The fine print here is that there can't be politics. He has to ensure that the intentions are clean and efforts sincere and genuine.
Lastly, while the debate continues over the ministers in the Pramod Sawant 2.0 government opening up the sins of his colleagues in the earlier regime, the action by Rane will serve as a reminder for all those engaged in rampant violations and abuse of power, that while change remains a constant in politics, a wrong could haunt somewhere, sometime, no matter which side of the fence one is.
