Real estate politics behind Goa crisis
Sujay Gupta
Monday, July 30, 2007, (Goa)
The Goa political crisis is not just a straight story of political differences, as beneath the surface is a clash over real estate.
It began with the controversial Goa Regional Plan that sought to open up every empty inch of Goa.
Rampant public anger against a plan and NDTV's investigation into the political nexus behind Goa's construction boom shook the system, and Babush Monseratte, being the minister who drafted the plan, had to resign.
But Goa's real estate is too cash rich, too tempting for Goa's special brand of real-estate politicians to leave it alone.
While the plan may have been scrapped, the man behind it is back in action.
It is widely believed in political circles that Digambar Kamat's tough stand against the builder lobby, many of whom were the beneficiaries of the earlier regional plan, has irked many, including those who probably plotted to bring down the government.
This time Babush Monseratte is not just back, but he has even managed to rope in some of his bitter enemies.
For example, former Congress MLA Victoria Fernandez - who was bitterly opposed to Monseratte in the past, is now on the same platform and all seems to be forgiven.
Even Manohar Parikkar is ready to do business with the man he had dropped from his Cabinet when he was CM.
"Just because people have differences, that does not mean we can't work things out. Nobody will have anything to complain," said Manohar Parrikar, BJP leader.
Also with Babush is MLA Churchill Alemao. The rebel Congress strongman who floated a new party, Save Goa Front, allegedly trying to hijack the fight of the Save Goa activists.
Clearly, there is an alliance of real-estate politicians that has not just threatened the government but also the Goa Bachao Andolan, which has been fighting them off.