PANJIM: The BJP is well and truly caught in a cleft stick trying to deal with the emerging Regional Forces. On one hand it is slightly wary of how much traction the Regional Forces will get if it chooses to field candidates, especially in Salcete. However, there seems to be another view growing in the party to tone down the direct attack on the three independent led Regional Formation, especially on Fatorda MLA Vijai
Sardesai.
This was actually discussed on the sidelines of the BJP meeting in Panjim where the party’s decision to remove the coconut from its list of trees, was deliberated and defended. Some MLAs like Pramod Sawant and even Sardesai’s bete noire Damu Naik actually favoured the creation of the “third front” and allow it to “prosper” enough to divide opposition votes.
The decision to treat Sardesai and the third front with kid gloves was even endorsed by Chief Minister Parsekar. According to senior informed sources, the BJP seems to have fixed ideas of how the Regional Formations will play out and
this will happen as follows.
In Salcete they will field candidates who will garner a lot of votes but the anti BJP vote share will split giving BJP or BJP backed candidates an edge. In North Goa, the BJP is completely complacent that the Regional Front will not be able to make dent, especially in majority dominated
constituencies.
In fact, during its Monday party meeting, an internal calculation was done on winning seats. A senior office bearer said in confidence “The party is actually counting Porvorim and Bicholim as its sure shot seats.”
Not surprisingly both these seats will have Regional Front heavyweights Rohan Khaunte and Naresh Sawal contesting.
Meanwhile, the contours of the third front are beginning to take shape with the gradual announcing of candidates and the formal launch of the front by the end of this month.
