Why the craze so much to contest the election again and again by the same persons? Are they so smart like that American president Roosevelt who went for the third term because people liked his administration, to do good for the locals or they are very good in doing good only for them and their families by taking advantage of the membership of Panchayat? Most of those who are regularly contesting this election are cunning and tasted the taste of corrupt practices to acquire illicit wealth otherwise as it happened in our locality, how such persons built their financial empires such as Hotels, Restaurants, fleet of luxurious cars and bungalows? Till recently before contesting election they were bankrupt but once elected they started looting the people by demanding bribe without any shame. On top of it these Pimps and political Prostitutes moving in society with their heads high and go regularly to the church by befriending the local priests who are guilty of not opposing in the sermons their misdeeds.
What role the local church will play to guide the locals in the right direction in the coming election? One thing our church leaders and priests cannot remain as silent spectators when the pimps and rogues many of whom are from catholic religion are all out to get themselves elected by all means, some of them even by doling their wives and daughters to those who will arrange them more votes. As it is, in the last Assembly election, lot of money flow was experienced to buy the votes of ignorants and backwards because this class only sell their votes, sensible people will never sell their votes because votes are not salable commodity.
Most of the people involved in this buying and selling of votes business are Catholics and the buyers are having bales of notes accumulated thru unfair means. There should be thorough enquiry of the money used in vote buying and what was the source of this big amount of money. Normal logic tells this money is a looted money thru illicit means and since it is used again for illicit use then this becomes a sinful act where the Church leaders must involve to oppose such sinful acts.
When there was political hara-kiri let lose on the people by the corrupt politicians, the Church leadership directly involved and fought for justice. In Goa the Church must declare openly saying that “using money and muscle power to win the election is an Anti-Christian Act”. Otherwise, the corrupt people will get elected and they will increase corruption leading to the spread of sin even among the church leaders.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim.