Be accountable to electorate, Goa Church urges politicians

The Council for Social Justice and Peace – the social wing of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, has appealed to all candidates contesting the forthcoming elections in the state to place voters ahead of everything, and be accountable to them.

The Council has asked the elected representatives to safeguard and promote the interest of the ordinary people and that of the entire state, while upholding moral and ethical values.

The Church's social arm pointed out that elections to the Goa state assembly were held thrice since 1994, and during these 12 years Goa citizens have had to endure "unstable, disrupted" governance. The main cause of this has been desire for power, both individual and collective, it said.

Most of the MLAs are collectively responsible for manipulations, defections, contrived resignations resulting in bye–elections and even dissolution of the Assembly, it said.

Successive governments have resorted to unprincipled means for those in power to enrich themselves at the cost of the state. MLAs have feigned ignorance of the events, clearly indicating either sheer irresponsibility or unethical behaviour, the statement added.

Good governance has been further hampered because of politicisation of all spheres of social life.

Political interference in the self–governing institutions of the village and nagar panchayats has eroded the age–old systems, which were specially protected through the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution of India. By breaching them, the ministers have violated the constitutional rights of the people, the strongly worded appeal from the Church pointed out.

The Church has also appealed to all people contesting elections to remain "in touch with the socio–political environment of the present time" and honestly participate in fair and just elections.

The State Assembly elections are expected to take place in May.