Social activists from across Goa on Friday evening resolved to stay united against the ruling dispensation, vowing to identify and support people-centric candidates for the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elections. The meeting, which was convened in Margao by former MLA and activist Adv. Radharao Gracias, was well attended, with people belonging to various constituencies in South and North Goa.
This appears to be a move in the right direction as it will give the electorate more options to choose from. It is pertinent to note that the activists have time and again taken credit for Capt. Viriato Fernandes winning the South Goa Lok Sabha seat who, according to them, did not win because he was the Congress party candidate. Whatever may be the reason, one cannot dismiss the fact that social activists have gained the attention of the general public for taking up issues of the common man. Hence, these activists are not just pushovers in the wider plan of wresting power from the present political dispensation.
However, there are some pertinent questions that need to be answered. Are all the activists on the same page as far as providing a viable alternative to the present government? Are all the activists united in the true sense of the word? Do some activists have political ambitions? I was present at the meeting held at Margao and noticed that some of the activists were conspicuous by their absence for whatever reason. Unity will be the key to the success of the movement. Secondly, will the opposition parties agree to field the candidates put forth by the social activists? Obviously, the parties in the opposition will have their own candidates.
Hence, to stand any chance of being accepted as a common candidate, the activist needs to join any opposition party well in advance. All said and done, the movement is in its nascent stage and only time will tell how it will progress in the countdown to the 2027 assembly elections.
