TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
PANJIM: Goa’s first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar wanted to merge the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party with the Congress, a declassified US diplomatic cable sent from the US Consulate in Bombay (now Mumbai) reveals. The same communication, termed Bandodkar as a ‘unifying and dominating force in Goa’ even as it predicted splitting of the MGP in the wake of Bandodkar’s death.
“Bandodkar has been a unifying and dominating force in Goa and has been principally responsible for the territory’s political stability these past 12 years. There is no one in his ruling Hindu-dominated Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) of comparable stature to assume the leadership role,” the cable communication sent on August 13, 1973, one day after the demise of Bandodkar on August 12 that year, reads.
“In present circumstances doubt if Mrs Kakodkar will be able to hold MGP together for long or maintain it as Goa’s ruling party. We think MGP will now become (fall) prey (to) internal factional strife and that pressure (to) merge with Congress as earlier desired by Bandodkar and probably encouraged by Delhi will likely mount,” the communication reads.
The cable, however, was also quick to write off the United Goans Party (UGP) as Christian-dominated and lacking sufficient numbers even as it predicted a rise of the Congress in Goa.
“Congress stands to gain most from Bandodkar’s demise provided present faction-ridden Goa Congress leadership is able to close ranks and exploit the situation. Since Goa Congress lacks in popular leadership, formula might be devised whereby Mrs Kakodkar becomes chief minister provided she and MGP join Congress. In which event a few power seekers in UGP are likely to see light and climb on the bandwagon. With central backing and support this could work as well as bring Goa into mainstream Indian politics,” the communication reads.
Another cable communication sent three years later in February 1976, reported that Siddarth Bandodkar who was then convalescing in Jaslok Hospital (after he received gun shot wounds) wanted to join the Congress.
Siddharth Bandodkar, at present convalescing in Jaslok Hospital in Bombay, has decided to join the Congress and form the Congress ministry which he is likely to head. He is supported by a fair number of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak MLAs as well as some opposition members. If this happens, Goa will fall to the Congress,” the cable says quoting a magazine ~ Blitz.
The nervousness of Shashikala Kakodkar, who succeeded her father as chief minister in 1973, over the possible imposition of President’s rule as well as that of the toppling of her government in 1976 was also reported by US officials back home.
“Though the overall political situation in Goa has been quite steady since the accession of chief minister Kakodkar in 1973, recently there have been some signs of nervousness in the ruling Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) about the possibility of the imposition of President’s rule,” a cable sent on March 8, 1976, reads. It adds: “Mrs Kakodkar’s confidence showed signs of wavering as the press reported her warning to MGP rally that no one has the right to attempt the toppling of the MGP government.”
The cable also mentioned the gall of the then Congress. “Although they have only one seat in the legislature and an almost non-existent state organization, Goan Congress (R) leaders are publicly calling for the imposition of President’s rule in Goa.”
Another cable reported how Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Mrs Sulochana Katkar at a press conference at Panjim on February 11, 1976, demanded the dissolution of the Government of Goa.
