This is a season of melavas and padyatras. While the BJP is “meeting” to continue to keep a hold on their bases, the Congress is finally “walking” to reclaim lost ground.
The BJP’s tryst with melavas (meetings) is in their DNA. But in the run up to 2012, it was opposition leader Manohar Parrikar who rode a chariot – a modified very comfortable one at that – across Goa as a part of his “scorched earth policy”. And as he travelled through Goa, he saw the land on the cusp of change. He had then told Herald, “See those who step out of their homes just a little bit and simply smile and wave at you. I see their smiles and I know another vote has been cast.”
There is no yatra this year for the BJP, at least not yet, perhaps basking in the confidence – misplaced or not – that all is well and the meeting route will pay more dividends. But for the Congress, its Janjagruti Padyatra, is perhaps even more critical than what Manohar Parrikar’s yatra of 2012 was. In 2012, it was almost a given that the disenchantment with the Congress on the issues of family raj and corruption would lead to a shift in the ground realities in BJP’s favour. The Congress, in 2016 now, is nowhere near that position. The obvious ground shift against the Congress in 2012, isn’t quite matched with a massive ground shift against the BJP in 2016, though that was initially expected. The best hope is a below par performance of the BJP compared to 2012. The Congress’ goal in this padyatra which began at Pernem and has covered 12 constituencies including Mandrem, Siolim, Calangute, Saligao, Porvorim, Aldona, Thivim, Bicholim and Sankhalim, in its journey of 34 constituencies and 262 kilometers in 13 days, is to give it strength to fight. In 2012, the BJP was merely confirming the support of its people. On the other hand, the 2016 padyatra for the Congress, is a journey of believing in its self, yet again.
It is also a journey for the GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro to figure out his own political journey in Goa. In quintessential Faleiro style, he has pushed the narrative that he was a reluctant participant in the Goa political jumboree, but since he was sent here he would do the job of resurrection. He is now trying to figure if his party does have chance for a shot at power and that would mean at least 15 seats. To many political observers, this is a very distant dream. Thus, this yatra is also a test for Mr Faleiro himself, to figure if its indeed worth it to contest from Navelim to join the rest of the party in the hurly burly of elections. Thus, this 13 day trip, is as much, perhaps more, a voyage of self discovery, as it is to take its campaigning to a higher gear.
But even as it does that, the Congress, if it is true to itself first, must ask itself some fundamental questions. Who are its fellow journeymen in this journey, its fellow voyagers? Has the padyatra been an all pervasive one with all its leadership pitching with gusto, or are they going to mark attendance only when its travels through their constituencies? Thirdly, how many leaders are actually dipping into their pockets and giving the yatra logistical support, that needs finances. From the look of it, Faleiro’s trusted aides like AICC’s Girish Chodankar are in the forefront of this yatra. And finally, is the Congress willing or capable enough of defying its own self and taking the plunge and fielding a majority of new faces, ready to take the party to the next decade?
Perhaps at the end of this yatra, the Congress can really look at itself and ask these questions. And the questions need to be directed at all its senior leaders. And it should be then seen, if these answers are forthcoming and whether those taking those questions – if they turn up to field them that is – are honest enough to see the ground realities.
