The induction of Rajendra Arlekar into the Parsekar cabinet, is by no means a routine “shuffle”. The Speaker’s move to the cabinet speaks volumes of the behind the scene strategies that the BJP think-tank is working on.There are a web of complexities which very few in the BJP also completely fathom. Here are the broad reasons behind the Arlekar big move and it is unlikely that any one specific reason played a part in this. So here goes
The Background: During the Nano November storm of 2014 when Manohar Parrikar was called up for national duty, the genteel amiable Rajendra Arlekar was almost on the verge of becoming Goa’s Chief Minister. After all he is more dyed in the RSS wool than most others. Less than 24 hours before he was about to be sworn in, the BJP’s controllers in Goa, and core committee members, Satish Dhond and the very polished Datta Kholkar, prevailed in effecting a last minute switch, by giving Mr Parsekar the job. Parsekar was believed to be more malleable and ductile, for the power centers.
The early days: Initially it seemed that only the name of the Chief Minister had changed but the real Chief Minister hadn’t. From crucial files going to Mr Manohar Parrikar during his weekend trips to Goa, to him meeting ministers and MLAs and giving them briefings, Laxmikant Parsekar is more of his own man than he was in the winter of 2014. His very first attempt to establish this was evident on the issue of the removal of casinos from the river Mandovi. When he was reminded that Mr Parrikar was firm on their removal by 2015 and out to the high seas, Mr Parsekar said, “That was his decision”. Parsekar has also increasingly become even more vocal about backing major business houses and projects from out of Goa, going completely against the common peoples sentiment. And then his move to try and bring the sport of dhirios in the main stream, which does have many takers, founds sections of party hardliners extremely peeved.
The change: As it happens in many relationships, the camaraderie between Parsekar and the organizational relationship began to wane. The shameful loss of Dhond’s handpicked lady candidate in the Latambarsem in the Zilla Parishad polls, was the tipping point. And then when Carlos Almeida was made the Chairperson of the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority, by removing Dhond’s incumbent, he went to Parsekar to express his displeasure. It is learnt that Parsekar curtly told him that the decision was taken. He then met Rajendra Arlekar who is reported to have told Dhond “You were the ones who made him Chief Minister. So why am I being told this”.
Now: The wheel has come a full circle. The organisation top brass has realised that there needs to be a political heavyweight in the cabinet to bring about checks and balances in Parsekar’s functioning. With Arlekar in the cabinet, both Mr Manohar Parrikar and the organisation will get another view on decisions being made.
Secondly, the RSS too has a mandate from its headquarters that state governments need to be run according to its mandate and free spirited Chief Ministers, like Manohar Parrikar was, and Parsekar who is becoming one, are impediments.
And thirdly, Arlekar’s induction gives the ruling BJP an opportunity to take the transport portfolio away from Sudin Dhavlikar, as the BJP prepares to seriously move towards snapping ties with the MGP, Arlekar will restore a part of the balance which may tilt if the Dhavlikars indeed decide to move away. Since it is now clear that the previous Congress government which the Dhavlikars supported protected the Sanstha from Intelligence and law enforcement agencies, the BJP may well use this to snap ties with the MGP on the issue of national security.
In the run up to 2017, the gloves are slowly coming off. The time for politeness is over. It’s all about power.
