Goa’s Chief Minister faces his tough test, as a high voter turnout has sealed the fate of candidates in the mother of all battles that will make, break and change the face and future of politics in Goa. Although the BJP and Congress are the principal opposition parties, however, the presence of AAP, TMC-MGP alliance, RG and Independents in full force gives the election twists and turns.
Both the BJP and Congress have expressed confidence in forming the government, however in this election the voting pattern is going to be different as people have come out in large numbers to show the power of their vote to save Goa and there are bound to be upsets, knockouts, reverses and surprises.
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The question is: How has the voter voted? What has been the voting decision? Has the voter voted for a change; a change from the feeling of helplessness to a feeling of better and best? Has distribution of freebies and tall promises of free electricity, free water, etc, helped in garnering votes? How have the minority voted? Has the exchange of large sums of money played a vital role in this election? One gets to hear that crores of rupees have been spent in vote-buying as many poor and illiterate voters were tempted by inducement of money. The real test is beginning and results of March 10 will reveal the winners.
No doubt the BJP in Goa has succeeded in bringing crores of rupees of Central Govt funds to Goa and which has resulted in development of four lane roads, bridges, super-specialty hospital and other infrastructure, but the anti incumbency and increasing ‘anti-BJP’ factor with allegations of corruption, job scams, Covid deaths as well as the three linear projects and other such issues may ruin prospects of the party getting 21 seats.
The Congress campaign initially lacked lustre and direction but gained momentum as the election date inched closer. Their leaders who were disunited came together joining hands more out of compulsion rather than choice as they reconciled, buried their differences in a do or die like situation to take on the challenge to conquer and defeat their biggest common enemy which is the BJP.
People are suspicious if the Cong can be entrusted to look after the interest of Goans for next five years because of its past record of several Congressmen. The Congress resorted to course correction by not only denying tickets to defectors but also fielding a good percentage of new faces.
What about AAP and TMC? Huge hoardings, advertisements and banners were seen all across Goa and which created tremendous awareness among voters of new choices for these parties. How many seats will AAP and TMC-MGP alliance get? How many would RG and NCP get? Finally, what about the Independents? The news is doing the rounds that a good many of them will emerge winners.
The election fever is over, but the outcome of the polling is giving the tensed and anxious politicians sleepless nights. Whatever be the results, we pray that Goa gets political stability and hope that politics of convenience and selfishness through defections and toppling games will not be repeated.
