Through the campaign in 2017, there was almost no murmur coming in from one of the many political camps. In fact their silence was at times eerie. They had no press conferences – or hardly any, no spokespersons sending photos or comments. It was almost as if they were not even there. There had no inner party arguments over tickets and nor did you see – or ever have seen – any other leadership other than those who you see – Sudin and Deepak Dhavalikar.
The two brothers whose traditional home in inside the Mahalaskhmi temple complex in their backyard of the Ponda taluka, are looking to be a group or a party no one else cannot do without. After being removed from the Parsekar government leading to a break in the BJP-MGP alliance, they are nowhere near being out of a future equation with the BJP not withstanding the public pronouncements. Here, the more significant Sudin, whose emotional connect with politics begins and ends with power, has no time or place for political coyness. He goes to the best suitor and when he does, the past doesn’t matter, just the future does. What is important for now is that if the MGP pulls out five seats, it will be in a serious position to dictate terms on government formation. The important part though is that it may get more.
In some seats, it certainly appears to be in very serious contention. Madcaim of course is a given. In addition, Bicholim, Pernem and Sanvordem are three seats where the MGP has a distinct edge. In Dabolim, don’t be surprised if Mauvin Godinho inducted into the BJP with fanfare, is knocked out cold by the MGP thanks to some clever social engineering by some of BJP’s own stalwarts who worked to try and defeat Godinho. And while Govind Gawde, the BJP-backed Independent has gained ground in Priol and looks to be a contender, it still won’t be easy to topple Deepak Dhavalikar who may yet pull off this prestige seat.
The MGP has an ally too in GSM and they should look at Curchorem and Mayem very closely as possible seats, though not with the same degree of confidence as some of the seats MGP is expected to win.
This combination may end up with anything between 6 to 8 seats
Now, what they do with this kitty is going to pretty much decide the government, if the mandate is completely fractured. Apparently there appears to be thin line of difference between the two brothers Deepak and Sudin, with the latter who holds the keys to most of MGP’s fortunes, including the most significant financial ones, leaning to the BJP for ideological as well strategic reasons. Deepak on the other hand has taken a contrary official line saying MGP will have nothing to do with the BJP. Meanwhile, Manohar Parrikar in an interview has said that he wants to keep MGP out of power.
However as it so often happens during elections, statements made during their campaign, is all about posturing and getting a sense of what the other party is planning or feeling. Post March 11, a seriously hung mandate will force parties to the MGP to complete the picture. And the MGP, isn’t a pariah to anyone. If MGP was a state, it would have easily won the ease of doing business award, in any competition.
With the minimum of fuss or noise, and even large parts of Goa uncomfortable with much of what they believe in and stand for, they may well be in a position to stand between a party and its climb to power and take full advantage of the situation.
