Team Herald
PANJIM: It’s going to be the first-ever State cabinet in last 17 years without MGP stalwart Ramakrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar, who has been Minister in successive State governments since 2002.
Just over a week after being sworn in as minister in Dr Pramod Sawant-led cabinet, Dhavalikar was sacked for anti-alliance activities. Dhavalikar, the senior most MLA in the government, was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister last week along with Vijai Sardesai.
Dhavalikar, who got elected for the first time as MLA of Marcaim Assembly constituency in 1999, has played pivotal role in keeping MGP alive despite several defections. MGP was Goa’s first ruling political outfit after end of Portuguese colonial rule in 1961.
After being honoured with the cabinet rank since 2002, Dhavalikar’s stint as Minister comes to an end on March 18, 2019.
Dhavalikar, the undefeated king of Marcaim for last five tenure, was inducted in the then (late) Manohar Parrikar-led cabinet in June 2002. He was sworn in as minister and held portfolios like public works department (PWD), Fisheries and Museum. However, the Parrikar cabinet lasted only for two-and-half years (January 2005), before it was struck by defection leading to political crisis in the State.
Known for switching over his political loyalty, the MGP leader joined hands with then Pratapsing Rane-led Congress government in February 2005. He managed to retain the same portfolios. Unfortunately, this government also did not last long forcing President Rule in the State the same year.
But to his luck, Rane managed to form new government yet again in June 2005, which continued till June 8, 2007. Dhavalikar was again awarded with PWD, Fisheries and Museum portfolios.
In June 2007, the State headed for general election to 40 Assembly seats. Congress in alliance with MGP and NCP emerged victorious with Congress winning by 16 seats, NCP three and MGP two seats. A new coalition government under Digambar Kamat was sworn in with Dhavalikar once again retaining his pet portfolio – PWD along with Science and Technology.
In 2008, Dhavalikar was rewarded with additional portfolios including transport, river navigation and social welfare.
Just before the March 2012 elections, MGP resented to continue with Congress, considering the anti-Congress wave. MGP tried to woo BJP under Parrikar.
Both the parties went for poll in alliance and swept the polls with historical win. BJP emerged as the single largest party with 21 seats, requiring no alliance support. However, as a pre-poll alliance dharma, Parrikar inducted Dhavalikar along with his brother Deepak, into the cabinet.
PWD and Transport continued to be like his better-half until March 18, 2019. His desire to be the Chief Minister has left him nowhere in the government.
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MGP unlikely to lose its Lion Symbol
PANJIM: The MGP, State’s oldest regional political party, is unlikely to lose its party symbol Lion, despite it being left with only one MLA. As per Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines, to retain the status of a recognised state party, any political outfit needs to secure at least two seats and a total vote share of 6%. The MGP had secured three seats in the 2017 Assembly elections.
Party’s legislative wing has been split into two, wherein two out of its three MLAs have merged with the BJP, leaving it with only one MLA. The merger by the split group has given much needed relief to MGP led by Deepak Dhavalikar. Another big relief to MGP has come in the form of ECI amendment introduced in August 2016 with retrospective effect from January 1, 2014.
It amended the rules to say that performance over two consecutive general or Assembly elections, as opposed to one, would be the measure to determine their status. As such, MGP had own three seats in 2012 Assembly elections and again in 2017.
What happens in case of a split in a party but no merger?
In case of a split, it is upto the ECI to decide which faction represents the original party. It is to be noted that recognition should be given to a party only on the basis of its own performance in elections and not because it is a splinter group of some other recognised party.
