PANJIM: Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) leaders, both
past and present, claim that despite losing the Opinion Poll, which was held to
decide Goa’s identity, voters of the erstwhile Union Territory reposed their
faith in the then Chief Minister late Dayanand ‘Bhausaheb’ Bandodkar and
brought him and his regional party back to power.
On the occasion of the Opinion Poll, which was held
on January 16, 1967,
O Heraldo spoke to MGP stalwarts to seek their views and what they feel
about the pro-merger stand then and now.
MGP president Deepak
Dhavalikar said, “Congress did not want to give us a separate State. They
wanted to merge Goa either with Maharashtra or Karnataka. There was pressure on
Bhausaheb Bandodkar as Goa was then a Union Territory. But Bhausaheb sustained
the pressure. He did not bow to Delhi. What is happening now is that Delhi
dictates and local leaders implement them. There was a Congress government in
both the neighbouring States. Bhausaheb worked secretly. That resulted in MGP
coming to power for three consecutive terms. Now people can say whatever they
want, but there was pressure from the Centre.”
Former MGP MLA Dharma Chodankar said, “There was
pressure to be with Maharashtra. But Bhausaheb worked diligently and Goa could
maintain its identity. That is why MGP emerged victorious in the next
elections. Mandate of the people was respected.”
“The Opinion Poll was to
decide whether Goa should be merged with Maharashtra or not. Then it was
rumoured that if MGP wins the Opinion Poll then Bhau will not become Chief
Minister again. Because of that MGP’s support reduced. On the other hand,
United Goans did not want merger. Later it was decided that Goa will not be
merged and the government will be run under the leadership of Bhaushaheb
Bandodkar. MGP contested elections and formed the government for three
consecutive terms. However, the party’s stand and principles did not change. We
continued to be in politics and continued to fight for Marathi. Since
Liberation till date, MGP has representation in Goa Assembly,” former MGP
general secretary R A Mardolkar said.
While speaking to O Heraldo, former Union Minister
Ramakant Khalap said that “Goa could get satisfaction that it retained its
identity and during the course of time it became a State”. The former MGP
president pointed out that on the language front the party “achieved quite a
satisfactory solution where we gave status of Official Language to both Marathi
as well as Konkani”. “Konkani developed in the State and Sahitya Akademi
recognised it. In terms of progress, no doubt, as a State we have achieved what
was not possible when we were totally dependent on the Government of India.
During the course of time, as the State developed, our share of Central revenue
also increased. We made commendable progress in tourism and industry,” said
Khalap.
“Initially
when the party was formed it was for merger. The local leadership grew.
Three-four MLAs became ministers and one of the MLAs became the chief minister.
The argument was made that Goa would get the same type of treatment if it
merged with Maharashtra. Will a Goan become chief minister of Maharashtra? The
answer was no,” added Khalap, who was also the Deputy Chief Minister of
Goa.
Former minister Prakash Velip said, “I was a student
when the Opinion Poll was held, but I actively participated in the campaign for
Goa’s merger. But the then Chief Minister Bhausaheb Bandodkar sportingly
accepted the people’s mandate and without any ego he resigned and faced the
Opinion Poll. But thanks to those who voted to retain Goa’s identity. If we had
merged, we would have not been in the limelight. We have to also see the demand
coming from bigger states like UP, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh
where reorganisation of States took place.”
He said the Opinion Poll was unique, but those who
voted against the merger later voted for MGP, who won three consecutive
elections thereafter.
