SUNDAY, JULY 07, 2024
KARSTEN MIRANDA
MARGAO: The resounding victory of Captain Viriato Fernandes, the INDIA Bloc Congress candidate, in the Lok Sabha elections for South Goa was a testament to grassroots mobilisation within the party, meticulous planning with alliance partners, and a deep, genuine connection with the people's concerns.
His journey from a retired naval officer to a formidable political force exemplified the strength of democratic values and a leader's ability to inspire hope and catalyse change. As the results poured in on June 4, it became evident that Fernandes had struck a resonant chord with the electorate, aligning with their aspirations for a better future for Goa and India.
The road to this historic win began in early January when Fernandes embarked on an intensive district-wide campaign, even before being officially named the candidate. Nonetheless, he was bolstered by a team of foot-soldiers comprising Congress officials and leaders from various ranks, including Goa Congress President Amit Patkar, South Goa Congress Chief Savio Da Silva, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and Quepem MLA Altone Da Costa. They were joined by fellow Goa Congress colleagues like Everson Vales from Nuvem, Moreno Rebello from Curtorim, Orville Dourado Rodrigues from Velsao, Olencio Simoes from Cortalim, amongst others, as well as booth-level leaders from Congress constituency blocks across the district.
This formidable force left no stone unturned, crisscrossing the district, organising corner meetings, and engaging in door-to-door outreach. Their efforts played a pivotal role in amplifying Fernandes' message and ensuring it reached every nook and corner of South Goa.
Initially, the INDIA Bloc faced an uphill battle against their rival BJP, which had already nominated businesswoman Pallavi Dempo for the South Goa seat, while uncertainty loomed with regards to the Congress candidate. However, Fernandes' campaign gained unstoppable momentum, fueled by the support of Goa's Congress leadership and workers who threatened a mass revolt if he was denied the ticket.
When Fernandes finally secured the Congress nomination, some naysayers within the party dismissed his chances, unhappy that their preferred candidate did not get the ticket. However, the overwhelming public response at his rallies proved them wrong and made it clear that Fernandes was seizing the opportunity against the BJP's might and machinery.
Elsewhere, unlike the BJP candidate Dempo's brief addresses at the BJP campaign meetings, Fernandes' oratory prowess and ability to connect with the masses gave him a significant edge. His fiery speeches, touching upon issues faced by the common person and echoing State-wide citizen-led protests, garnered visible public approval at the INDIA alliance public meetings.
Rising resentment amongst the public towards turncoat BJP MLAs, such as Digambar Kamat from Margao, Aleixo Sequeira from Nuvem, and independent MLAs Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco (Curtorim) and Antonio Vas (Cortalim), who supported the BJP government and its Lok Sabha candidate, also benefited Fernandes and the INDIA Bloc.
Moreover, Fernandes received steadfast support from loyal Congress foot soldiers who had remained committed despite mass defections plaguing the party over the last couple of years. The fact that Congress secured leads in seven out of eight Salcete constituencies and narrowed the BJP's lead in Margao, a testament to public faith in Fernande’s candidature. Congress took the lead even in Cortalim, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had campaigned and criticised remarks by Fernandes about dual citizenship. On that day, the India alliance had a public rally at Benaulim which was attended by hundreds of locals, a common sight at all his public meetings in the district.
Furthermore, the INDIA Bloc partners, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Goa Forward Party (GFP), and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), amplified Fernandes' message through coordinated campaigning and groundwork, giving his campaign a massive boost.
"Our campaign since January was initially through galvanising the local leaders from the Indian National Congress who had felt sidelined over the years, particularly in Cortalim constituency," said Orville Dourado Rodrigues, the founder of Goencho Ekvott, an organisation that played a crucial role in helping Fernandes’s campaign. "It took a lot of convincing to finally make Captain aware of his potential as the right candidate for South Goa. Goencho Ekvott executive members played a huge role in convincing him to throw his hat in the ring. Once that was done, the top leadership was taken into confidence about the team's intentions to field Captain, knowing fully that we had a sitting MP. It was probably one of the toughest decisions that the Central leadership had taken in recent times, related to Goa."
Fernandes' role in mass protests against issues like the three linear projects related to coal and railway double-tracking further endeared him to the people. His association with organisations like Goencho Ekvott and Goencho Avaaz, and his relentless fight for causes such as protecting farmers' land, workers' rights, and environmental conservation cemented his reputation as a leader who would champion the people's interests against injustice. During the hundred-odd public awareness meetings against these infrastructure projects since 2020 as well numerous other local issues affecting the public, Fernandes presented factual data and how Goa and its citizens could be affected. These efforts laid the foundation for his successful Lok Sabha election campaign with Fernandes recalling these topics during the Lok Sabha campaign and the recognition from the people as a who truly understood their struggles and demands became the cornerstone of his election campaign.
Will raise all issues related to Goa in Parliament: Viriato
PANJIM: South Goa MP-elect Captain Viriato Fernandes on Wednesday said that he will ensure that all issues related to Goa are raised in the Parliament. Addressing a press conference in the city, he said when he travelled across the South Goa constituency with the party workers, he got to know there is a different Goa, of the poor and unemployed. “I assured them that I will again raise people’s voices in Delhi. People have given a green signal to the issues which we have mentioned in our manifesto. They have asked me to raise those issues in Delhi as the present government does not listen to them,” he said. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said the Lok Sabha results have shown that effects of BJP are fading in Goa and country. “The results are a befitting reply to the BJP for their arrogance for the way they tried to polarise this election and divide us on the basis of religious lines. It is a lesson for us to remain united, " he said. He claimed that the INDIA Bloc is the only option to preserve the constitution, adding that the agenda of the Bloc was to cross 30 seats in the 2027 Assembly elections. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa convenor Amit Palekar said the victory of INDIA Bloc is against divisive politics. " BJP has started blaming Hindus for their loss in Faizabad,” he said. He said a candidate backed by the INDIA Bloc is likely to be fielded for the Benaulim ZP polls to be held on June 23. “It is a matter of right that AAP can stake claim for it. As INDIA Bloc, we should fight it together,” Palekar said.
