By Aires Rodrigues
The March 3rd Goa Assembly Elections failed as far as securing and ensuring a strong, vibrant and constructive Opposition which is the key to the success of any democracy. While the Congress was utterly decimated and still in a Coma, the Goa Vikas Party surrendered to the ruling party though uninvited. Some of the “Independents” also sang the ruling chorus possibly in an apparent hope to share some remaining crumbs of the spoils of office. And the justification was the one we are now familiar with “for the sake of development and progress”. The recent Cortalim fiasco was yet another nail in the coffin of democracy. With the current government being reduced to a virtual one man rule and with the no room left for even those muzzled Ministers and ruling MLA’s to speak out the voice of opposition and protest in all senses has gone for a toss.
Winning and losing elections is part of the political game. But rising from the defeat and displaying resilience to fight back is essential. In a democracy, the opposition plays as important a role as the government. For a strong and viable government, an equally strong and viable opposition is a must. Such an opposition is the secret to the success of democracy.
Another and more important factor for democracy to triumph is that the opposition must be healthy which is essential for the sound functioning of democracy. It should criticize the Government policies in the interest of the state and not for petty party gains. Corruption, nepotism and maladministration are obstacles in the growth of a cohesive social and political life in the State and this can be checked by a vigilant opposition.
In a democracy, the Government and the opposition should both aim for the good and welfare of the people. The opposition should criticize the government on its failure to implement its manifesto and speak out against the failures of the government only to make it more efficient and honest. Criticism should be based on sound principles with the Opposition acting responsibly as it has a valuable and constructive role to play. It educates the people and formulates public opinion on various issues by putting forward all the relevant facts. By being vigilant, the opposition prevents the government from sliding into complacency.
Democracy implies rule of the majority, which can turn authoritarian in the absence of a strong opposition. A vocal and sturdy opposition functions as a deterrent. It prevents and checks misuse of authority by the ruling party. The ruling party tends to develop dictatorial and tyrannical tendencies, if there is no strong opposition. And these unhealthy signs are already there for all to see in the functioning of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
The Opposition must be tough, because the voice of a weak opposition will be a cry in the wilderness. It is true that in a democracy, the majority will have their way, but the voice of the minority which must also be heard can be a formidable tool of influence. Opposition is one of the tripod stands of the democracy that must play its role actively for the system to nurture and grow. The role of the opposition in government should never be opposition for the sake of opposition. They should act out of anxiety and concern that the democratic freedoms are not lost. The safeguarding of democratic freedom is very essential. Opposition must restore the Government’s lost sense of direction by its crucial, creative, critical and constructive criticism.
Opposition should have the courage of their conviction by using it to the optimum level to enlighten the masses by objectively analyzing the government’s drawbacks. They must always exhibit the qualities of imagination, integrity, independence and incorruptibility forged by a spirit of idealism. By possessing a vision and understanding to tackle the immense problems facing the people, after an objective analysis, it should be able to come up with worthwhile and long-lasting solutions.
Democracy demands that the opposition must not only be intelligent, sensible, wise and witty but must also be sane. They should not be intellectuals like the ones described by Mao Tse Tung ‘Swollen in head, weak in legs, sharp in tongue but empty in belly’. While the opposition in the Goa Legislative Assembly stands virtually silenced if not vanquished, the burden is now cast on ordinary citizens to shoulder this heavy and cumbersome mettle to ensure that democracy in our once beautiful Goa is kept alive.
( writer can be contacted on 9822684372 or airesrodrigues@yahoo.com )
