The malaise of money and muscle power is now well embedded in Goa’s political turf. It was very evident even at the grassroots level, during the recently held panchayat elections. The distribution of cash and freebies was galore. Aspiring candidates have realized that even getting elected as a panchayat member or municipal councillor is a very lucrative venture paying huge dividends. Politics is one business where if you are elected you are assured of rising from rags to great riches. Merit counts for nothing. In the 60s and early 70s we had to coax people to contest elections. Today candidates are coerced and even threatened of dire consequences if they do not withdraw. This leads to a poor calibre of elected officials because of voter apathy and an arm’s length approach to politics with damaging consequences to people and our State. Regrettably, in the world’s biggest democracy, politics is no longer a mission to serve the common good with honesty and integrity, but a personal investment at all costs, for personal wealth development.
