PANAJI:
An amendment has been proposed to the Goa Panchayati Raj Act, to allow
panchayat and zilla panchayat elections to be conducted on party lines.
The proposed amendment is likely to be discussed during the ongoing
session of the Goa legislative assembly. Presently, political parties,
though not permitted to participate in panchayat and zilla panchayat
elections, candidates in the fray owe allegiance to one or the other
dominant party, but without any official stamp.
Laxmikant Parsekar, minister for panchayats, said the bill amending the Goa Panchayati Raj in all probability will be discussed during this session of the Goa assembly. He did not explain why the amendment has been proposed.
Many states in the country already follow the practice wherein political parties actively participate in elections at the grassroots level. Whether a similar practice will augur well for Goa is not known but both national political parties? BJP as well as Congress? are in favour of the change. They are also of the opinion that there has to be an anti-defection mechanism in place before the new system for panchayat elections is introduced.
The Congress especially stressed on this point as it believes panchayat elections fought on party lines will be "free for all" if an anti-defection law is not made simultaneously.
John Fernandes, president Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), said that his party is not against the amendment. In fact, he said they are in favour of it provided there is an anti-defection mechanism in place.
"Otherwise, there will be defections galore as the government in power will try to control politics at the grassroots level," said Fernandes.
His skepticism also stems from Goa's image which until seven-eight years ago was known to be the state of defectors.
Even now, he said MLAs float panels during panchayat or municipality elections, roping in panchayat members of their choice. Yet, they are not in a position to directly control them.
In the states like West Bengal, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, panchayat elections are conducted on party lines. West Bengal also has an anti-defection law in force to debar defections. Under the law, any elected person, if he/she changes his/her party within six months of being elected, he/she stands to lose his/her seat. But if one-third members of a political party join another party, they are not disqualified.
Wilfred Mesquita, BJP vice-president, said it is good decision by the government and everyone should support it. He also stressed on the need for an anti-defection law in place.
Laxmikant Parsekar, minister for panchayats, said the bill amending the Goa Panchayati Raj in all probability will be discussed during this session of the Goa assembly. He did not explain why the amendment has been proposed.
Many states in the country already follow the practice wherein political parties actively participate in elections at the grassroots level. Whether a similar practice will augur well for Goa is not known but both national political parties? BJP as well as Congress? are in favour of the change. They are also of the opinion that there has to be an anti-defection mechanism in place before the new system for panchayat elections is introduced.
The Congress especially stressed on this point as it believes panchayat elections fought on party lines will be "free for all" if an anti-defection law is not made simultaneously.
John Fernandes, president Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), said that his party is not against the amendment. In fact, he said they are in favour of it provided there is an anti-defection mechanism in place.
"Otherwise, there will be defections galore as the government in power will try to control politics at the grassroots level," said Fernandes.
His skepticism also stems from Goa's image which until seven-eight years ago was known to be the state of defectors.
Even now, he said MLAs float panels during panchayat or municipality elections, roping in panchayat members of their choice. Yet, they are not in a position to directly control them.
In the states like West Bengal, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, panchayat elections are conducted on party lines. West Bengal also has an anti-defection law in force to debar defections. Under the law, any elected person, if he/she changes his/her party within six months of being elected, he/she stands to lose his/her seat. But if one-third members of a political party join another party, they are not disqualified.
Wilfred Mesquita, BJP vice-president, said it is good decision by the government and everyone should support it. He also stressed on the need for an anti-defection law in place.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Govt-moots-allowing-panchayat-ZP-polls-to-be-conducted-on-party-lines/articleshow/38940962.cms
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