Political Fronts and Rears…(Soter)

Published in Herald Review on 19th July 2015

Political Fronts and Rears…

19 Jul, 2015, 01:36AM IST

BY SOTER D’SOUZA With lessons that never seem to get learnt, public memory remaining short and individual opportunism prevailing over community interests, Goa stares at yet another Assembly election within a year or two. In the event of any election, it is the same old political tricks and manufactured popular agendas. It’s that same old familiar game of playing up Goan insecurities about the migrant and communal threat and corruption. This mischief gets attractively marketed in the garb of ‘Special Status’, Regional Front, Regional Plan and the rest. A close look will reveal the same old vested economic interests operating from behind the scenes to confuse and polarize the mind of the voter. If only the Goan voter could for a moment become dispassionate about selective issues which get hyped, take some time to sit back and reflect; a question could well arise as to why do the ‘Save Goa’ noises have to remain confined to the coastal talukas of Bardez, Tiswadi and Salcete and largely within the Catholic community? How is it that issues like Hindu unity, medium of instruction and blocking recognition to Roman script for Konkani appear more important and are allowed to dominate voter behavior in the hinterland talukas of Goa? Seeking answers to such questions are important for one to understand the underlying political currents for any meaningful political transformation to happen in Goa. Interestingly, there appears a huge gulf between word and action in Goan society, between the old conquest and the new conquest regions within the State. One would be a hypocrite to claim that Goan society, cutting across caste and religious communities, has common political interests which revolve around preserving and conserving Goa’s environment and secular ethos. By implying a communal divide, one does not intend to cast aspersions on the intent of the Goan voter but only highlight the need to realize the presence of a politician-corporate cartel which ultimately fuels division in order to rule. It is here that transparency and accountability in the emergence of a Regional or Third Front is very necessary. The impression one gets from such fronts may not necessarily be the same when one takes a look from their rears. Identifying the funding sources of such political fronts is as important as understanding their ideologies. For, if the funding for such political fronts is received from such economic sectors known to be responsible for the devastation of Goa, and cadre for such fronts is again drawn from sectarian groups and opportunists from regular political parties, then how could the representatives elected from such fronts ever be expected to support pro-people policies? Goans have time and again been misled with promises of security and prosperity, whether it be the Opinion Poll, Official Language, Statehood, Regional Plan and now the much trumpeted ‘Special Status’ and ‘Regional Front’ with vague interpretations. Therefore, it’s time for Goans to refrain from acting in good faith, desist from offering blind support and stop reacting emotionally on issues. Goans need to ask uncomfortable questions from so claimed Change Makers in order to distinguish genuine political alternatives from those with a selfish design.

http://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/Voice-Of-Opinion/Political-Fronts-and-Rears%E2%80%A6/91269.html