Panjim: The Parsekar led BJP government has its task completely cut out. Within 24 hours of the biggest political scandal that has hit Goa since the infamous Miramar Sex scandal, which Babush Monserrate knows a lot about, the Goa government needs to not just have a fool proof case with corroborative evidence but ewnsuire that this stands incort till a conviction is achieved.
The BJP realises that the Babush Monserrate rape case will have an immense political fallout and needs to give the Crime Branch an extremely free hand to conduct further investigations in order to secure a conviction.
The slowing down of the Louis Berger investigations, and the inability to get Digambar Kamat, mentioned as one of the prominent accused in the bribery scandal with bribes paid by Louis Berger to secure a water and sewerage contract, had demoralised the Crime Branch.
So what really changes as far as BJP’s 2017 plans are with Babush Monserrate’s arrest on charges of not just rape but trafficking
1. The BJP has attacked Monserrate but never really disowned him. If Monserrate pulled off even 4 seats under the UGDP banner, he would be open to any deal since he isn’t bound by ideology, principles, promises or past decisions
2. A behind the scenes deal between Manohar Parrikar and Babush Monserrate is virtually impossible in the post arrest situation. This wouldn’t have been the case otherwise, especially since Parrikar’s relationship with his handpicked MLA Siddharth Kunkalienkar, isn’t as rosy as it was a year ago
3. In the changed situation, Monserrate does not contest the next elections, then the situation in Panjim, Taleigao and St Cruz could take some interesting turns. In Panjim, the BJPs chances become much stronger with Babush not in the race. But if asks his voters to back any other parties, then the contest will become tight. In Taleigao, he may still pull off a sympathy wave induced win via his wife Jennifer Monserrate. In St Cruz, there are chances of a compete split of votes with several contenders and parties in the race, giving an edge to the BJP
