Sifting for the right MP candidate in Goa

The election dates have been announced. Goa votes in the third phase, on May 7, some 45 days from now.

Main contenders Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress appear not in any hurry to declare their candidates, especially for South Goa, as the BJP has sent Shripad Naik back into the ring for the sixth time in the North Goa constituency.

It, however, has remained mum on its South Goa candidate, just as Congress also keeps its cards close to its chest on nominees for both seats, as speculation rises across Goa.

In the absence of candidate names, it is not possible to discuss their individual merits, so why not take a look at what qualities or experience a candidate should have?

Under the law, anyone over the age of 25 can contest the parliament polls. There are no qualifications other than being an Indian citizen. That opens the field to any Indian above the age of 25 to make a bid for a parliamentary seat.

But, is age all that people, the voters, seek in a candidate? There is, of course, more.

As a representative of a constituency, the MP has the task of being the voice of the people, who have elected him or her, raising their issues in parliament and getting them addressed.

The candidate, therefore, has to be one who understands the constituency, is in tune with the people of the constituency, especially their needs and aspirations.

For that, a resident of the constituency, who has interacted with the people over a period of time and is accessible to them, is definitely preferable.

A person who only approaches the people at the time of the campaign will not be able to understand all the issues, nor deliver on the promises.

While in a majority of the constituencies one does find a local candidate, political parties do look for safe seats for certain leaders or bring in leaders from other constituencies, thereby foisting candidates on the electorate.

It may not always work out well, but it has been tried.

In addition to being the voice of the people, the introduction of the MPLADS, or Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme, has bestowed upon the MP another duty, which is taking up necessary projects for the constituency that, in the natural process of governance, would take time due to procedural red-tape.

Finances for certain projects at the constituency level can be met by funds earmarked to each MP.

Of course, the MP also has the duty of following up on other government projects, not under the MPLADS, with the district collectors or the central government, depending upon which authority is funding it.

The MP’s work, however, does not end with just taking up the issue of the people who have elected him or her.

There is also another task of legislating and ensuring that the government performs. That is the main duty of the MP – legislating.

An MP’s job is to vote in parliament on bills, but has the additional responsibility of debating on the bill, moving amendments to it; hence an MP should be able to understand a range of subjects so as to be effective in parliament.

Irrespective of whether the MP is seated on the treasury benches or the opposition benches, if an MP is able to do fulfil his legislative and parliamentary duties, then he or she can be considered as a performing MP.

In the light of the above, have the MPs that Goa elected five years ago delivered? Goa had an MP in government who is a minister and an MP in the opposition.

Now, whether an MP’s party is in power or not, the MP has to remember that he or she has been elected by the people and so is answerable to them and not just the party.

Here, it is the people who have to connect with the MP on a regular basis to hold the MP accountable.

This has rarely been done in Goa, which allows the MP to sing his praises rather than be questioned by the people.

As Goa readies to vote, the electors have to look for candidates who will not just adhere to party policies, but also connect with the people. Unless there is that connect, an MP will never be a true representative of the people.