HERALD: You played a crucial role in the formation of government while Sudin Dhavalikar was always close to Gadkari?
MICHAEL LOBO: The minute we came to know that only 13 MLAs were elected and one supported member, we were looking for another 8 MLAs. Goa Forward had 3 and MGP had 3 so a total of 6 and after this we only required another two Independents. Out of the two, one was our supported candidate Govind Gaude and the other being Rohan Khaunte.
BJP had decided that the minute we (the party) would “obtain” the magic figure of 21, we would stake claim to form the government. It was evident that the mandate given by the voters was a fractured one. It was not a clear cut one either for the Congress or for the BJP. As a reuslt, it was clear that one had to muster the numbers to form the government. I had to play a role and tell Vijai to look at us and consider the coalition. In case Vijai had considered the Congress, his voters may have felt slighted as the Congress had backstabbed him (Vijai) two times earlier.
HERALD: Did the Congress have an equal opportunity to form the government?
ML: The Congress also had equal opportunity and we did not stop them from forming the government. They should have collated the numbers and should have gone to the governor. We made an attempt and when Sudin was talking to Parrikar, I, on the other hand, was talking to Vijai. He, initially had a lot of reservations to join this government as he was elected from Salcete constituency where the majority of voters are Catholic and he was in a dilemma. People of Goa, in this election, have shown that they had not pressed the EVM buttons keeping the communal factor in mind. The voter conglomerate is a mix of all hues and colours. So, ultimately it is untrue to say that a particular community did, or a particular community didn’t vote for the BJP. Vijai knows the pulse of Goa and he knows what the people of Goa want and the main agenda of his manifesto Goa Goen Goenkarponn, if we want to do this and protect Goa, we should all go and form a common minimum program with these three parties. I strongly feel that we all three parties and the Independents will give justice to the people of Goa.
HERALD: What was the reservation, how did you crack it, I am being told that the meeting started at 10 am on the counting day?
ML: Before the elections, I had spoken to Vijai. I did so on the polling day and the day the results were out. So, it’s clear that we were very much in touch. Vijai was mainly concerned about one thing and that the people should not think that he had joined the BJP. They should be clear in their minds that he supported the BJP-led government to provide good governnance. Vijai is a smart politician. I spoke to him on several issues like he had to be comfortable with persons he allied with. He has got to foresee if he’s allowed to work for the people of Goa after the coalition is formed and most importantly, choosing which coalition would make him comfortable in his own constituency among his own people. With joining this coalition, Goa Forward can grow in other constituencies, including those in South Goa.
HERALD: Vijai was not ready to meet Gadkari, how did you pull it off?
ML:I had to speak and convince him as to why the people of Goa need him and why this fractured mandate happened and how a proper coalition would work out. If you see the pattern of the mandate properly you will realise that he (Vijai) would is the deciding factor and eventually would be the kingmaker. The voters have looked at his with a different perspective and that he must honour their mandate. I even spoke to his people Vinod Palyekar, Milton and Jayesh. I had to convince him that I will come and speak to your people to your leader and sarpanches.
HERALD: You have been the main person to crack this deal. How do you see this government? Are you looking at some particular position?
ML:I am here to serve the people of Goa. I will do justice to the department the Chief Minister gives me. It is going to be a balanced team. Parrikar being the leader of the team and Vijai being another leader, Sudin, Rohan, Francis.. the team is thoroughly impressive. This government will serve and reach out to more and more people.
HERALD: Is it true that you have asked for a tourism portfolio?
ML:I have not asked for any portfolio. I will work and deliver in whichever department I am. I am ready for any department. I am confident of producing results.
