I have never lost a by-election. And never won a general election. That is a record of sorts. I have not contested, since the year 2002. That election is thus my bye election! There is an occasional urge though, to jump in the fray particularly after watching assembly debates. But then, a little voice tells me. Look here. When you speak, people listen. And applaud. When you write, people read. And appreciate. When you contest, people vote. But not for you! So, no more elections for me. That’s the way it will be.
Elections are somewhat akin to cricket. When you can play no more, the cricketer becomes a commentator. And so does the activist. I take this opportunity to give a ball by ball commentary of the just concluded long drawn out test match. The final day dawned bright and clear. But nearing stumps no one knew which way the match was headed.
The BJP began poorly and lost its captain miserably. The Congress started on a stronger note and was heading for first innings lead.
The BJP was considerably behind. To counter the loss of its captain, the BJP called in its super coach from New Delhi who completely turned the fortune of his team in the final over of the day. He bowled a bouncer, a googly, a chinaman, a doosra and perhaps a tisra, all in one over. It was too much for the Congress, whose captain was too selfish and involved in protecting his own wicket at the cost of the team. And in addition he proved a poor tactician too.
It is the twelfth of March. Seventeen winning Congress MLAs troop into the Party office in celebratory mode. Four Independents (Churchill, Govind Gaude, Prasad Gaunkar and Rohan Khaunte) are gravitating towards the party. For two hours the members solemnly discuss and approve a resolution congratulating Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi “for guiding the party to victory and for addressing two party meetings in Goa despite their busy schedule”. Typical Congress sycophancy, as can be seen.
Vijai Sardessai makes contacts with Digvijay Singh and offers support subject to Luizinho Faleiro not being CLP leader. Sudin Dhavalikar offers support if Pratapsingh Rane is the CLP leader. Both seek a response before six pm.
From Congress House to Hotel Mandovi is just a few steps. The Congress entourage reaches there, in no time. Lunch over, members stroll into a suite, booked for the purpose. Digvijay Singh indicates that all MLAs shall vote, to decide the CLP leader. A strange election it is, with no formal candidate. A tissue paper container serves as the ballot box. Each member has to write his choice on a piece of paper, an obvious ploy to deny secrecy.
Hours pass by and there is no indication of the result. Members get restive. By 9.30 pm. news filters in that the MGP and the Goa Forward have hitched their wagon to the BJP engine. All hell breaks loose. Francisco Silveira rushes in, he is almost uncontrollable (it is the same Agxikar anger that got Konkani the Official Language status). He has realised that the horse has bolted. Jennifer bares her fangs. Now it is a full-fledged revolt. She alone is permitted to see the ballots.
Results are then announced. Luizinho gets seven votes (presumably from Clafasio Dias, Wilfred D’Sa, Isidore Fernandes, Ravi Naik, Luizinho himself and with others unknown). Digambar gets five (Tony Fernandes, Jennifer, Reginaldo, Digambar and one unknown?). Pratapsingh Rane gets two including his son’s. Subhash Shirodkar and Babu Kavalekar vote for themselves! And the Congress circus is in full swing.
Vijai soon learns, that both the Siolim and Saligao MLAs have greater affinity to Michael Lobo than to Vijai and prefer to align with the BJP. Congress having failed to meet the deadline, Vijai has no choice but to go with his two other colleagues actively encouraged by offer of prime portfolios and Michael Lobo, who it is said had financed the election campaign of the two.
By 10pm it is clear that Congress has lost out. Strangely, all those who were maneuvering to be CLP leaders when the post of CM was out for grabs, walk away from the leadership and the baton passes on to Babu Kavalekar whose performance for the last three terms has been sub-par. He is clearly susceptible to blackmail as an offence for disproportionate income had earlier been registered against him. So one can be sure that the leader of the opposition will be what in Konkani is called a “funttea makod”.
The Congress is in a plight of its own creation. The high command could have insisted on its choice as leader had the party secured majority on its own. In a similar scenario in the past the party had simply called upon any member who can cobble a majority, by garnering outside support to be the CLP leader. A similar offer could have easily induced Digambar Kamat/Vishwajit Rane to attract GF/MG and forming a Govt. It appears that the Congress will never learn.
In the end, it is Michael Lobo who played a critical role to bring a fellow “Parrikar” to power. But to no reward. And that’s a mistake Parrikar may have to repent later. Michael as is known is as good as the water melons his village is famous for. And a disgruntled Michael Lobo may be a catalyst for change. It may then be too late for Parrikar to realise that Michael has literally lived up to his surname! Watch out, the test is over. But the series is yet open.
(Radharao F.Gracias is a senior Trial Court Advocate, a former Independent MLA.)
