Will it be 'people's power' in Margao this time?

As Margao readies for the upcoming civic polls, the battlelines evolving on the horizon indicate a likely-to-be unique contest— people's power verus political parties's clout. Downcast by the shoddy performance of the Margao municipal council, concerned residents have formed various citizen's collectives and many are in the process of identifying "people's candidates" aimed at cleaning up the civic mess.
With objectives ranging from bringing in transparency in administration to ensuring public participation in urban development, the process of mobilizing support for these "people's candidates" has been set in motion in many wards of the class A civic body.
At least three people's groups have emerged in the fray and are working overtime to create a sense of awareness among the electorate on the advantages of electing an apolitical council for effective governance.
"Residents feel there is no guarantee for good governance with the same city fathers forming the council repeatedly. They want representatives who can make the MMC more accountable and transparent," says Lanfredo Da Costa, member of a prominent citizens' group. Francisco Colaco, also part of a peoples' group, is concerned about elected representatives to civic councils not having enough powers.
"All the powers are vested with the chief officer and the urban development minister rules the roost. The elected representatives serve only as facilitators and most of the time as blackmailers who work only for ulterior motives. What then is the role of these citizens' groups?" he questioned. Dejected with politics becoming "murkier", the wellknown cardiologist feels there is apprehension among the people as invariably, wrong candidates are elected each time despite the best efforts of concerned citizens to cleanse the system.
"I am of the opinion that a pressure group has to be formed but it should be a single one and I cannot visualize such a group as there are so many views within views," Colaco said.With past efforts turning futile, he has decided to be less active at the polls this time around. Meanwhile, a newly-formed group of like-minded citizens, comprising mostly youngsters, is exploring the possibilities of fielding what they call "good, hard working and non-corrupt" candidates. Not wanting to go public, sources in the group say they will put up four to five candidates in different wards of Margao and Fatorda.
"The group has met several times and is actively involved in obtaining views on civic amenities, etc," said a member. Sridhar Kamat, a prominent resident, opined that good peoples' candidates with no political affiliations should be supported. "I favor formation of a group that will act as a watchdog and as a citizens' voice rather than concentrate on putting up candidates. If like-minded people come together it should be to raise their opinion on certain issues," said Kamat. Civic activist Vinayak Mordekar who is "morally backing" such a group is of the strong view that people should back good candidates to represent them in the MMC.
"There is a dearth of progress and many civic issues are yet to be resolved. It is time people back candidates who owe no allegiance to any political party and are directly representing people in the civic body. Of late we have seen that decisions of political parties are rejected outright by peoples' groups and therefore peoples' power gains significance," said Mordekar. Nevertheless, former MMC chairperson and Congress loyalist Santosh Pai Raiturkar begs to differ on the view that representatives of apolitical panels would help de-politicize the civic body and enhance development. "The time has come for political parties to openly declare good candidates and support them. While representatives of political parties are controlled by the party whip, the problem with peoples' candidates is that they switch loyalties to the dominating party," said Raiturkar.
For major political parties — Congress and BJP— the forthcoming civic polls are a test before the next assembly polls; an indicator of which way the winds of change are blowing. They are in no mood to buy peoples' arguments that civic polls should be de-politicized. BJP member Rupesh Mahatme says that the party has already shortlisted candidates to be fielded in all 20 wards of MMC.
"We are only waiting for the government's notification on reservations (OBC, ST, women's wards)," said Mahatme. While the BJP claims to be organized, sources say veteran Congress leaders in Margao are in a dilemma with as many as 80 candidates showing interest to plunge into the fray.
"There are various groups within the Congress and it will be interesting to watch the developments once the notifications come through," said a source. "Veteran Congressman Luis Alex Cardozo confirmed that though he may not have a panel, he will certainly put up a candidate in the forthcoming civic polls," added sources. Meanwhile, uncleared garbage, the dog menace, sewerage system, motorable roads, well-laid footpaths, enough parking space, common burial ground, etc are some of the issues which are expected to play a major role in the October civic polls.