MAPUSA
For the people of Goa, the politics of pull and push after a fractured mandate is nothing new. A state which has witnessed instability umpteen of times in the ’90s, the
current imbroglio will only bring back bitter memories of the past.
Watching the political dance unfolding in the State after the Saturday results, leaders, both political and civil feel history was repeating itself. Former speaker in the assembly and ex-MLA Surendra Sirsat wondered how the smaller parties will explain to the people of Goa it’s turn of heart in supporting a party, which they were opposed to before the elections.
“Goa Forward Party had come to power claiming secular credentials and opposed BJP on several issues. Today they are saying they will support BJP if Manohar Parrikar is made the chief minister. Where is the morality in politics,” Sirsat asked.
He said MGP too were guilty of political profligacy in aligning with a party which they had snapped ties with to fight the polls.
“The question is not whether BJP is right or wrong in forming the government. The question to be asked is how some of these smaller parties who were swearing against communalism just a month back, at election time, have now no compunctions to share tables with BJP,” said Dr Oscar Rebello, senior leader and spokesman, of Aam Admi Party, Goa.
Rebello said Goan voters were unconcerned about ethics and morality and the just concluded election results bore testimony to that fact.
“People care two hoots what is right and wrong and the election result proved that,” Dr Rebello opined.
Goa has the dubious record of initiating instability in the country and had highest number of defections. The anti-defection law came into being only because of the defections in Goa. “If you look at the history, both the national parties have been guilty in the past in wooing smaller parties and staking claim to form government,” said Roland Martins, coordinator of GOACAN and someone who is involved in consumer movement in the State. He said people should watch their legislators what they are up to so as to make a matured choice next time around. “Public should watch carefully what’s happening on the political stage of Goa. They should watch every move of the politicians. The voter should think and know who you have voted for,” Martins averred.
According to the former speaker, the governor should first invite the party which has won highest number of seats to prove its majority.
“Although it’s not mandatory for the governor, the convention is to invite the single largest party and to ask it prove its majority within specific period,” Sirsat said.
“If that party fails to test its majority, then the governor can give the next combination an opportunity,” he added. The GOACAN coordinator seconded the view and said normal procedure is for the governor to call the single largest party to form the government. He said the current political development will surely have an impact on the impending panchayat elections.
