Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar “arguably” may have single handedly led the party’s growth to power from scratch, but the leader may also be responsible for the non-development of bench-strength for future leaders. Yes it’s true, now when the Parrikar has taken seriously ill there seems to be none in the 13 out of 14 MLAs who can take over the reigns of the party. No leader also seems to have the caliber of Parrikar who can even keep the flock together.
But who is responsible for the current situation?
During his meeting with editors in July Parrikar had said, “In Goa, we need to ensure that good quality leadership is developed, not just in the current situation but also for the future. I am not referring to political parties, but in all fields.” Parrikar has been in power as chief minister for four terms but has failed to groom any leaders for the party for the coveted post. Yes, that’s true, the party does not or hasn’t built the second rung of leadership after Parrikar. Those in the fray to occupy the second rung are Union Minister Shripad Naik, MP Narendra Sawaikar, Pramod Sawant but none are ready fill Parrikar’s shoes. In fact on his return to Goa in 2017, giving up the Defence Minister’s position was the political tsunami which wiped out the entire top leadership of the BJP in the polls Laxmikant Parsekar, Rajendra Arlekar, Dayanad Mandrekar Dilip Parulekar, Kiran Khandolkar Mahadev Naik and Subhash Phaldesai were all decimated. Besides Francis D’Souza, who was the Dy Chief Minister in the 2012-term of Parrikar government has also taken sick and does not seem to be in position of returning to active politics.
Moreover, the parties top brass still does not seem to have much trust the Congress imports Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, Mauvin Godinho and Pandurang Madkaikar. The last named has taken to the wheel chair. For now, Parrikar is in Delhi, and there are signs he may or may not be able to take up active politics. But it’s a good time to ensure that the foundation of the party is strong and it has a second rung of leadership. And this is where the alarm bells ring Even in 2014, when Parrikar was called for national duty as Defence Minister, the BJP despite having a clear majority in the Assembly did not have a leader who take over right away and Laxmikant Parsekar was considered to be a consensus candidate.
The BJP’s senior faces now include Union minister Shripad Naik, state chief and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar and South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar. However, despite being an eligible candidate, Naik has been sidelined for long and it is clear that he does not quite fit the bill when it comes to selecting a person to lead the party through the next generation of people in Goa. His re-entry into State politics in 2012, wherein he wanted to contest from Porvorim, met a abrupt end when he was denied an Assembly ticket. Francis D’Souza has been suffering from ill health himself for quite some time the BJP does not want to see him as the future leader. Besides other senior leaders do not have a constituency of their own. Parsekar, does not agree with this presumption and says the BJP definitely has leaders and there is no question of survival but what he says only goes to strengthen the theory that there is no one to take the baton from Parrikar as and when that situation arises “There is nothing like what you say. Parrikar has been the face of BJP in Goa and we all respect him as our leader he has been the pillar of party so the emotional attachment is there,” he said. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo says, it is the chances and opportunities that make leaders. “Without opportunity how can you say there is no capability?” he asked. Nilesh Cabral also expressed similar sentiments saying, “without giving responsibility you cannot say he or she is not a good leader there are many who can take up the mettle.” The BJP though needs to answer this question not only from the point of view of immediate governance but the long term strengthening of the party.
