from: The Navhind Times, Goa May 14, 2002


Eroding credibility of the politicians and their promises
by Dr RAMESH ANANT DHUME

" Today as we see the prestige of legislative assembly being dragged in the mud, we feel like saying in disgust that the Portuguese governance was far better "

ONCE again we are having a premature election for the Goa legislative assembly. There are a large number of candidates for the unrealistically large number of 40 seats for the tiny state of Goa. Some are flaunting the labels of various national and local parties while others are independent. However, all are claiming that they are eager to serve the people of Goa and work selflessly for their welfare.

It is indeed our misfortune that especially during the last 10-15 years some of the elected representatives have let us down badly - nay, they have in fact betrayed us. It is high time that the voters at large decide whether they are once again going to elect those who have repeatedly ‘hopped’ from one party to another for selfish motives thereby leading to political and administrative instability which has had a telling effect on the overall progress of our Golden Goa. It is therefore essential that we insist, this time, that all aspiring candidates give us an undertaking that if elected to the legislature they will not change their party label — call it split, defection, floor-crossing, change of conscience, call of the inner voice... whatever.

At this stage, I would like to underscore that I am not in politics nor a member of any political party. Being a medical professional I have my fingers on the pulse of the common man. I know that the people at large are dissatisfied, disillusioned, angry, suffocating within themselves and I am placing before you their sentiments.

I have been a witness to the Portuguese way of governance.

Even then we had legislative assembly (Assemblia Legislativa).  However, the people did not elect its members. Eminent educated personalities (social workers, advocates, doctors and other prominent citizens) belonging to all religions (Hindu, Christians, Muslims, Khoja etc) from all 11 talukas were nominated to the assembly by the government. These persons being from well-to-do strata of society, corrupt and criminal elements could not find a place in the assembly. It can be said that the assembly functioned more or less like our country’s upper House (Rajya Sabha). All bills were discussed threadbare in the assembly and after getting passed, were published in the government gazette (Boletim Official). We used to read in the newspapers next day the uncensored debates of the assembly, with the exception of Jai Hind, all other issues of governance could be discussed in the assembly.

However, since it was a colonial rule, the Goans did not identify themselves with the government. I remember, on 19th December 1961, we as youngsters at that time took out victory processions throughout Panaji in trucks beating drums and shouting Jai Hind. But, today as we see the prestige of legislative assembly being dragged in the mud, we feel like saying in disgust that the Portuguese governance was far better. Let us leave it at that.

Some of you will be elected as legislators, thanks to the benevolence of janata, hard-work of your supporters or your own caliber and winability. If lady luck smiles on you, some of you will become ministers or even chief minister. May be all of you will become chief ministers by rotation during the next 5 years. I am sure you will be striving hard for the welfare of the people in general. But some people will continue to look for ulterior motives in your selfless and dedicated service and will attempt to defame you. Please, do not get disheartened. There is a saying: “He who guards the lake, samples the water”. Naturally you will have to look after your own interest, collect funds for the next election (which need not wait for 5 years), help your own relation, friends, workers and supporters. Displeasing them may prove costly for you because they can always pull the tug from under your feet with the help of the Opposition.

I do not intend to go into all such aspects which are taken for granted these days. We Goans who are now accustomed to get our work done by paying money to politicians-bureaucrat nexus, have no moral right to protest against corruption by politicians since the person who gives the bribe is equally culpable as the one who takes the bribe.

In relation to the elections of May 30, this year, the Election Commission of India and the Supreme Court have given you two directives: to place before the people any criminal record; to make public your own assets as well as the assets of your family members. We expect you to comply with the above two directives in letter and spirit.

That leaves us with the main issue — that is the possibility of splitting the party or floor crossing at your instance. It is sad that even the Supreme Court has not been able to find a remedy to this menace. As a result the Ayaram Gayaram politics has flourished and the tendency of pulling down a government by employing different ingenious ways with the sole purpose of self-benefit has gained the upper hand in Goa. Will you give us voluntarily, an assurance that you will not indulge in such despicable acts?

The Indian Constitution has undergone several amendments. Leading legal luminaries have expressed their opinion against their defections. In fact the Janata Party had captured power by assuring the people that they will ban party hopping. But that bill never saw the light of the day, as it was inconvenient to all political parties in general. Since one third of the elected members are allowed to separate out without getting penalised for defection, we are unable to keep even an accurate count of the number of times the Congress party has split. We have seen in Goa many examples of such dirty games.

In case you are really serious to work for the welfare of the people, then you must, at the outset, try to gain the trust and confidence of your voters. For this, it is essential that each candidate voluntarily gives an affidavit (and register it in a manner approved by government/court to the effect that “I will not change the party on whose symbol I am elected. In case I do, my membership of the legislative assembly will automatically stand lapsed”.

In case, the law does not have any provision to register such an affidavit, the election commission or the right court should suo moto take cognisance of this issue and make provision for this facility.

Eminent lawyers without political affiliations can decide what exactly should be the draft of this affidavit. But in principle all candidates have to agree to this and inform the people accordingly.

It is an appeal to all voters. Defections leading to political and administrative instability have been the bane of Goa over the last few years. You cannot clap with one hand. If the people come together and decide that enough is enough, the political, social and moral downslide can be halted. After all, external vigilance by the people is the price we have to pay for effective democracy. I therefore appeal to the voters to give your valuable votes to the person you feel is the best amongst only those candidates who give an affidavit as above.

In case we are to pull this trick, Goa will go down in history as the tiny state that set an example to the nation. We, as a nation, have had a glorious past. Our future also can be equally glorious and brilliant, if we all together can give a new direction to our nation in the ensuing election.