At a Lok Adalat organised by a local newspaper on Saturday, politician after politician mounted the witness box specially created on a dais to rail against the `system.' But what really took the cake was former chief minister Pratapsinh Rane jusifying fund collection by parties. ``You need money for petrol, posters and for a number of other things which we all know about,'' he said.

Another politician, Kashinath Jhalmi of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party insisted that Goans despite being educated, elect people who cannot speak on the floor of the House.

``We as a people are dishonest,'' he insisted. Only BJP spokesman Manohar Parrikar insisted that he could fight anelection with less than Rs 30,000 in Goa. ``My cadre does not demand any money and the voters of my constituency are not corrupt,'' he remarked.

Brought together on a common platform, Goa's fractitous `leaders' like Pratapsingh Rane and Churchill Alemao of the Congress, Kashinath Jhalmi (MGP), Dr Wilfred D'Souza (Goa Rajiv Congress) and Radharao Gracias (United Goans Democratic Party) fielded a number of questions sent in advance by the people.

All of them agreed that defections must be stopped, though their suggested methods varied. Gracias insisted that all politicians must agree ``not to covet their neighbour's MLA's.''

Citing his own example, Rane felt that members wanting to switch parties must resign their seats and re-contest the elections. Parrikar suggested that a member must be bound by the party decision on matters like confidence motion, financial bills and issues rising from the party's manifesto. However, a member may be allowed to choose his own line on other matters, hefelt.

Interestingly, all the leaders agreed that the size of the cabinet must be limited. ``In my first term I ruled the state with just six ministers,'' D'Souza said. Parrikar also promised to have less than 8 ministers if elected to power. Only Rane remained non-committal saying a decision can be taken only after the polls.

The Lok Adalat concluded with five demands from the public: Limit the cabinet to six ministers; all elected representatives must declare their assets; a speaker should not act to further his party's interests; and all government files be made public under the Right to Information Act.