Stamping a new era in Goan politics

In swift moves, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant is ensuring that a new era in Goan politics is beginning with him at the helm. Just under three months ago Sawant began his first day in office as Chief Minister with a framed photograph of Manohar Parrikar on the chair by his side. It gave the impression that he would be seeking the blessings of his predecessor, and taking forward the Parrikar legacy by following timidly in the former chief minister’s footsteps, but that view has now changed. Parrikar’s shoes were supposedly large to fill, and Sawant, a MLA in his second term with no experience in government was not expected to assert himself as he led a disparate coaltion. But that notion too has changed.

An early indication of Sawant’s desire to have a strong government was when his coalition government adroitly cut off one crutch of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, by spliting the regional party and getting two of the MLAs to join the BJP. That, however, hasn’t been enough as he still requires the support of the Goa Forward Party and the Independent MLAs. Yet, the pressures and compulsions of the arrangement do not appear to have held him back in his first few decisions as Chief Minister. Where Parrikar had acquiesced to his coalition partners, Sawant has not, but then in the numbers game, the current Chief Minister has an edge that the former did not have, a larger number of MLAs that cushions him against any skirmish with his alliance partners. 

A government is usually reviewed after spending 100 days in power. That day is coming up, but in the case of Sawant’s government, this may not be entirely appropriate as his functioning began less than a month ago, but there have been enough indications since then to denote that he means business.

After holding back the notification on the re-allocation of portfolios over the last weekend, Sawant released the list with no changes made to the choices that he had originally approved. The demands of changes in the portfolios sought by the ministers who had expressed their displeasure over the allocation were brushed aside, as the chief minister stamped his will over the cabinet, ensuring that his prerogative of which minister gets what portfolio remains unchallanged. While juggling coalition compulsions, Sawant had to also keep his own party ministers happy with their portfolios. It is never an easy task, and the displeasure among the coalition partners over the new portfolios remains simmering even today. 

It didn’t end there, as the Chief Minister also got the cabinet to unanimously approve his choice of a new Advocate General for the State, asserting that the AG changes when the CM changes. The replacement of the AG was not an item on the agenda for the meeting, but it was brought up during the course of the discussion, and he got the ministers to agree to it. In the previous week he had already provided a display of his no-nonsense attitude by staying firm against the demands of the taxi unions that are opposing the app-based taxi service. 

To his good luck, the new Chief Minister had over two months to plan his moves, as the administration was in a state of hiatus during the weeks that the nation was on an election campaign. At the end of the period, Sawant’s government emerged stronger, as his party increased its strength from 14 to 17 in the 40-member Assembly, and the government he is leading is comfortable with 23 MLAs. He has also got his choice in the Speaker’s chair – an MLA from the neighbouring constituency of Bicholim – and that should enable him to ensure that the House is kept in order. Besides, there is an opposition, which has MLAs waiting to leap to his side should he ever require to bolster his support. For the present time, he need not fear any threat to his government. 

For the moment, the going is looking pretty good for the Chief Minister. He has displayed his leadership qualities, and his cabinet colleagues know he is in charge, but there are challenges by which his government will be evaluated, so it is here that he has to show his acumen and deliver. Across the hinterland – his own constituency included – the mining dependents are waiting for the government to bring in the amendments that will lead to restarting operations in the mines. In the capital city the residents are waiting for the day that the River Mandovi will be free of the casino vessels. In Margao, the simmering Sonsoddo garbage dump is calling for a solution. In Vasco the dust raised by the coal transportation is yet to settle. These are pressing issues, and then there are many others that are also crying for the Chief Minister’s attention.

But, before that, there is another reshuffle that needs to be conducted. The government has got off to a good start by making the right moves, now it falls upon the famed babudom to follow suit. A government that has shaken off the sluggishness of the past and moved on the express track, can only work as fast at the vast network of government servants allows it to. There is a major reshuffle of bureaucrats expected to be announced this week, and there’s already speculation of who will be shifted where, but that will remain a mere assumption and the final list will have to have the Sawant stamp of approval, before it is made public. For now, it is only guesswork on the part of the people, on how the network of officers will be restrucutred so that the Chief Minister can have his trusted officers in positions that will help him achieve his goals for the State. It would be helpful if some of those goals were to be made public, as that would provide a better measure of evaluating his progress this far.

In another sphere, there was a different side of Sawant that was on display, when acting on a phone call of a passenger whose flight was delayed, he made arrangements for all the passengers waiting for the flight to take off to be given a free meal. Now, the plane was to take off from Mumbai airport, Sawant was in Delhi and the first call to him was made at 1.13 am. This act got him mentioned in the media – mainstream and social – across the country.

For Sawant the road ahead is long and winding. Everything he says and does will be closely scrutinised. The increase in the price of petrol and diesel will not endear him to the people. It came too suddenly on the people who were unaware that it was going to happen. So too did the increase in power tariff and bus fares. Balancing the aspirations of the people with the delivery of governance will be the toughest task he will have to play.