With the dates of Goa's Assembly elections having been declared,. it also exposes the fact that resolving issues does not seem to be the intention of the growing tribe of fly-by-night Goan activists. Like the political parties, exploiting issues for political or economic gains appears to be more the undeclared intention of these activists. We have repeatedly been alerting Goans about the sudden emergence of various groups over the last 2 years (a period when political parties actually start preparing for the forthcoming elections) to tackle issues of the villages and for protection of Goan interests. When confronted these groups had vehemently denied any political intentions and were faking their public rallies as being apolitical. It was not at all surprising that some of these so claimed village groups have now come public with their intentions to field candidates in all 40 constituencies for the Goa Assembly polls. The veteran politicians must be having a hearty laugh at these kiddos and their paper tigers. We should also not be surprised to learn later that some of these village groups were actually sponsored by politicians or political parties to split the votes of Goans. We are also aware of the fact that contesting elections can yield high returns with no investments. The truth usually spills out only after elections, a time when the defeated start licking their wounds. Sponsoring candidates for elections just to split the votes of certain religious or caste groups is the trusted weapon of major political forces that are masters at the game.
We have no problem with anyone contesting elections but let their intentions be declared to the public from the beginning. It is good that people decide to contest elections. What we are concerned is the rise to popularity of some political apsirants by using social-action forums to gain acceptance among the people. The people of this State are also entitled to their choice of whether to support or not to support a civil society group that is floated depending on its declared aims and objectives. But when civil society groups promote themselves as being apolitical and then jump into declaring their intentions on the eve of elections on one pretext or the other, it amounts to whole sale fraud and cheating. If these activists have resorted to such cheating and duping of the ignorant public, what guarantee is there that once elected they will not do the same? Merely declaring that one enjoys the support of 160 villages is not enough. Current election campaigns and filing nominations is primarily about money. From where is this group getting its funding? This is the basic question every voter needs to ask. They must set a precedent of accountability and transparency by declaring their sources of funding to the people and merely submitting manipulated figures to the election commission is no guarantee of sincerity. These activists need to demonstrate the 'Change' they will stand for and that starts no sooner they declare their intentions to contest for public office. What will they do differently which other current politicians and political parties do not do? What is that 'Change factor' they stand for? Merely stirring emotions on issues of RP-2021 or corruption for making political inroads into vote banks is of no consequence. Mere replacement of faces in the Assembly is also no solution as this has been tested time and again. This State has witnessed how a roaring activist was turned into a mouse in the Assembly for 4 years and resorts to the same game of hide and seek with the people. This State has seen a fisherman trounce an invincible giant in 1989 and then loot the state and terrorise the people for the next 5 years. It is said, "the way to hell is paved with roses."
We emphasize what we have said before. Activists and civil society groups in Goa need to formulate a Code of Ethics so that fraudulent and opportunistic forces do not erode that trust and credibility that social activists enjoy with the community.
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