MARGAO: Mining issue, slow-paced development, increasing rate of unemployment and the recent ‘changing of camps’ in state politics could be the important factors, which could decide the fate of sitting MP from South Goa Narendra Sawaikar, who filed his nomination papers on Thursday for the Lok Sabha election.
‘The Navhind Times’ team spoke to nearly 70 to 75 persons right from Ponda to the extreme south in Canacona and from the coastal village of Cavelossim to the mining areas of Sanguem and Sanvordem.
It was a mixed bag of views and opinions on whether the state issues would affect Sawaikar. However, even though the views and opinions differed from area to area, they indicated that the recent political situation in the state and the unresolved issues can work against Sawaikar, if not handled wisely.
Though Sawaikar had gained victory in 2014 by defeating other candidates at a time when the Modi wave was at its peak along with the Manohar Parrikar charisma, this time, however, he may find the situation different and convincing the voters could be a difficult task. Sawaikar’s fate is also dependant on how much votes the defectors can pull in for him in South Goa.
People from Ponda felt that the state issues will not have any impact on Sawaikar’s re-election. However, the collective opinion of the people of Salceta taluka was different. They felt that most of the unresolved issues would have a direct impact on Sawaikar’s victory. They further opined that the central government’s unfulfilled promises and the demonetisation and GST issues can largely influence the voters.
People from the mining belt areas like Sanguem and Sanvordem said the unresolved issue of mining, which has led to unemployment, may go against Sawaikar. Some, however, reserved their opinion. A few of the voters had a negative opinion of the central leaders rather than Sawaikar. Locals from Canacona and Quepem also felt that the issue of mining closure may go against Sawaikar. However, some said that Sawaikar has given a facelift to the Khola village by developing it through the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY). They found him to be a man with a positive attitude. Around eight persons from different walks of life right from an educationist to a farmer and a motorcycle pilot, all hailing from Ponda, the native place of Sawaikar, said that the state issues will not have any impact on Sawaikar’s re-election.
“State issues will not come in his way,’’ said Datta Naik firmly. Naik is a motorcycle pilot by profession. A farmer from Borim Vasudev Borkar said that Sawaikar has increased his network through the Goa Bagayatdar and that will help him.
“The governments, both at the Centre and here in Goa have constantly promised jobs to our children, who are educated. Some have been able to seek employment but many are still found loitering around in the villages. It is not surprising to see our younger generation migrating to the United Kingdom, United States, the Middle East, Australia and other foreign countries,” said a couple from a coastal village Carmona.
What is interesting is that a very few voters were aware that the MP has resolved the Indian continuous discharge certificate (CDC) issue by coordinating with the central leaders. The Ministry of Shipping has recently issued an order relaxing the requirement of secondary school certificate (SSC) for applying for CDC for those who have worked on international cruise ships. This has come as a relief to many Goan seafarers, especially from Salcete, who had been demanding relaxation of the rule.
“I still remember when demonetisation was implemented; it was very difficult for a few months because tendering change had become an issue. The Centre did not think of us and how it would affect us. Even today if we visit a restaurant, we must pay extra for GST. It is disappointing because all these taxes we pay are not even going into the building of simple infrastructure like dustbins and toilets on beaches,” said a garage mechanic from Benaulim and added that this can affect the sitting MP.
“We have been affected due to the closure of mining. We have lost the mining-related business. Our prospective clients have proceeded to their native places. The central government has neglected us,” voiced a middle-aged lady in Sanvodem market. A person sitting next to her, however, countered her by asking ‘did not the state government assist the mining dependants monetarily?’
Sanjay Naik (27) from Quepem was of the opinion that mining will be a major factor this Lok Sabha election, “as the political parties have been playing ‘football’ with the sentiments of the people which has resulted in large scale unemployment.” He said, “It is not just the people, who are directly involved in mining who are suffering but there are hundreds, who are connected indirectly.”
A resident of Canacona said that the leaders promise a lot but deliver very little and, therefore, questioning them is essential. He, however, reserved his opinion on issues affecting Sawaikar’s chances.
(Contributed by Roque Dias, Joao Sousa M and Diana Fernandes)