Goa is known as the first State to bring a truly regional party — Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) — to power, the party that ruled the State soon after its Liberation from 1963 and stayed on, till being ousted from power by defections in early 1979. The only party that managed to give a non-Congress or non-BJP Chief Minister, this election too, is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the next State government.
The History of State politics, especially since 1999, proves how the small regional parties and independent candidates have been the key players in government formation — so also in toppling the government. Be it MGP, or Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) or the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), even with a single digit seats, have made their importance felt pre and post polls.
If electorate gives a fractured mandate this time, the role of MGP-Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) along with other small regional parties like Goa Forward and Independents will be the key in deciding who will rule the State next. Though the national parties — ruling BJP and Congress — are confident of winning the elections, the moves have already begun to woo the regional parties for a post poll alliance.
After over two decades of a long political battle, both BJP and Congress have gone all alone without any pre-poll alliance. NCP too had no choice but to go alone after being ditched by Congress.
But what is interesting is, after almost over two decades or so, when MGP formed an alliance with the BJP in the 1990s for the first time, it started losing its hold over state politics.
Eventually, the State saw dominance of bipolar politics with the Congress and the BJP as the main players. But from 2002 the equations changed. In 1999, MGP emerged as third largest party; but its importance in government formation was limited as Congress managed to gain majority with 21 seats. MGP, known for switching over sides for power, extended its support to Congress.
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WHEN #3s BECAME IMPORTANT FOR #1
The crucial role so called the third largest front came to limelight from 2002, when both MGP and UGDP extended their support to BJP with Parrikar being Chief Minister. UGDP with three seats and MGP with two seats helped BJP (17) to reach to a total of 22 in the 40-member State assembly. However, the government was toppled within two years, after both the parties withdrew support and helped Congress.
In 2007, NCP emerged as the third largest party; but the role of MGP continued to be vital. The Congress that formed the government under Digambar Kamat, gained 16 seats, while BJP won 14. NCP had three seats and MGP two. While NCP had pre-poll tie up with Congress it continued even after results. Independent MLA and son of Pratpasingh Rane- Vishwajit extended his support to Congress; but even then the party felt short of one to form the government. But it was with the help of MGP’s two seats that Congress managed to form the government, followed by support from another Independent, the late Anil Salgaonkar. Known for their swings, ahead of March 2012 elections, MGP withdrew its support from the Congress government and allied with the BJP that emerged as the single largest party with complete majority. The 2012 election, however, saw complete whitewash of NCP and UGDP. But MGP managed to win three seats continuing to be third in the list (if independents are not included- who won five seats).
