Click to play videoPanaji (Goa): A small moment of defiance against an uncaring government sparked off a movement that changed the dynamics of Goan politics and brought the environment on top of the state's agenda.
Concerned citizens, activists, and NGOs rallying around under the Goa Bachao Abhiyaan (GBA) banner to scrap the controversial regional Development Plan 2011 last December.
Now, five months later, after achieving remarkable success in its campaign, this group is being asked to challenge their politicians at the ballot box.
Says editor of Sunapranth, Sandesh Prabhudessai, "At that juncture when the movement started, it had to be non-political because the people were fed up of all politicians and at that time it was very much necessary, but now at the time of elections, the people are looking for an alternative."
Most of the representatives of the GBA are professionals - doctors and teachers - who want to stay out of the political process.
GBA spokesperson, Dr Oscar Rebello, "We made it explicitly very clear that we were a people centric, citizen's initiative - totally non-aligned to any poltical party. Once you taste success of the rallies and of the political meetings, you don't change clothes and this is where poltical movements, social movements lose credibility simply because you don't live up to your word."
Ironically, while political parties in Goa try to latch onto the GBA's popularity, activists remain unconvinced of their motives.
Says GBA founding member, Patricia Pinto, "If we stand by someone and that person turns out to be another rascal, then the GBA loses its entire credibility."
So, will the elections mark the end of the one people's movement that Goans have faith in and will land grabbing politicians and their supporters go unchecked?
Says Dr Rebello, "If the next government does things in tune with the people's aspirations, then we will go and give them a big hug. But the moment they bring up and issue that is detrimental to Goa, we'll wake up - like Arnold Schwazzaneggar, we'll be back."
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