Nearly 40 years after the liberation of Goa, its citizens are seeking freedom yet again - this time, from politicians. The prospect of seeing politicians back in the saddle by June is giving them nightmares.

So when a local newspaper, in a front-page editorial, asked readers to demand the extension of President's Rule from Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill, people turned up in a large numbers. A poll conducted by another newspaper involving more than a thousand readers threw up similar results.

The high point of the poll was several readers choosing Governor Jacob for the CM's job!

Congressman at sea

Trust politicians to launch into a sermon at the sight of a crowd. Former member of Parliament and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Shantaram Naik, however, barely realised he was exhibiting his ignorance in the process at an interface between industrialists and politicians last week.

While most of his colleagues managed to present something of an economicagenda, Naik made it clear that trade and commerce were not his forte. To drive home the message, he added that the Export-Import Policy forwarded to him during his tenure as member of Parliament was Greek to him.

Sources in the Confederation of Indian Industry which organised the interface say invitations were sent to the presidents/ secretaries of all political parties. Of course, it was too tempting an opportunity for Naik to pass up.

Riding Piggyback

Politicians unsure of their bases are known to float social organisations on which they could ride to power.

The polls in Goa have gone further. A new outfit calling itself the `Voice of Goa' appeared on the scene last week and promised to team up with any like-minded party barring the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The party's manifesto seemed to be a carbon copy of the speech read by the representatives of the United Goans Democratic Party at a politician-industrialist interface a day before. Perhaps, they were just keeping their optionsopen.

Tailpiece

Despite opposition to early elections to the Goa Assembly, the polls expected by May-end could see a record turnout. The reason: The introduction of electronic voting machines for the first time in an entire State.