Being the election year, 2017 witnessed some big changes in Goan politics and many would like to believe that it was by far the most eventful year for the state politics.
Just within four days of New Year the Election Commission announced elections and Model Code was in Force.
During this period several interesting aspects came to the fore that saw the making and breaking of alliances, tickets distribution, allegation, counter allegations etc.
The adage that ‘there are no permanent friends or foes in politics’ was proved right this year, as friends turned foes and those that were looked upon as foes turned friends. Do we need to say that BJP’s allies turned foes and foes turned friends.
To start with the ruling BJP lost its close allies in the RSS and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP). So while the RSS supported the Goa Suraksha Manch, MGP went all alone.
Besides, there were internal differences in the BJP after induction of Pandurang Madkaikar and Mauvin Godinho and so also as BJP decided to drop Ramesh Tawadkar and Anant Shet and Pravin Zantye, Vijay Pai Khot were given tickets.
Congress on the other hand continued to do what it was known for – play politics.
Even at the fag-end of campaigning and date of filing nominations it was yet to decide on the alliances and nominations at few places.
As such the start of the year saw flip-flops between Vijai Sardesai and Congress party with the national party finally ditching him on alliance.
The year also saw Taleigao strongman float his own party but supported Congress. However, while his wife won on Congress ticket he lost from Panjim against Siddharth Kuncoliencar.
Result shocker
The March 11 results came as a rude shock to ruling BJP who bagged just 13 seats despite the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar campaigning extensively in Goa. On the other hand, Congress bagged 17 seats due to public outrage against the ruling dispensation then.
Goa Forward was the biggest winner then with three seats out of four it contested. MGP also claimed three, NCP bagged one and three were elected independents, with Rohan Khaunte creating a record of sorts.
For BJP six sitting ministers lost including chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Dilip Parulekar, Dayanand Mandrekar, Ramesh Tawadkar and Mahadev Naik.
And for Congress old faces like Luizinho Faleiro, Ravi Naik, Subash Shirodkar, Dayanad Sopte, Nilkanth Halarnkar made a comeback.
BJP manage to cobble an alliance
Despite being the single largest party, Congress could not form government as they were busy who will be their CLP leader. Party’s observer and in-charge Digvijay Singh could not take decision on time and saw the opportunity slip off.
On the other hand, soon after results BJP air-dashed party’s Goa in-charge Nitin Gadkari, who lost no time in garnering support from MGP, Goa Forward and Independents Rohan Khaunte and Govind Gaude.
It was a miracle of sorts as BJPs strongest opponents Vijai Sardesai and Rohan Khaunte agreed to form government. Vijai, Sudin Dhavalikar and Rohan, however, demanded that Manohar Parrikar, who was defence minister, to be brought in as CM, which was agreed by PM and Gadkari.
As a compromise, Goa Forward was given three ministries, MGP 2 and independents Rohan and Govind were also inducted in cabinet.
Thereafter, Prasad Gaonkar independent MLA from Sanguem also extended his support to Parrikar government.
Finally, Manohar Parrikar cabinet was sworn-in on March 14.
Vijai and Rohan while extending support stated that they will play a role of ‘watch dog’ in the government.
Vishwajit crosses over
Within a month of forming government and the very first Assembly session Congress got a shock when Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane resigned as MLA after defying a party whip.
The Congress did file a disqualification petition before the High Court but it did not bear any fruits.
Vishwajit’s reason of quitting Congress was that party was not serious of forming government when it had numbers and continued their in-fighting over leadership.
Panjim, Valpoi bypolls
While Vishwajit was confirmed to contest from Valpoi there came a question where would Parrikar contest from as many MLAs came forward to sacrifice their seats. Prominent amongst them were Nilesh Cabral who won in Curchorem by 9000 votes and Siddharth Kuncoliencar from Panjim, as expected, Parrikar opted for Panjim. Thus Siddharth resigned and paved way for Parrikar.
However, the battle was half won, in Panjim there was a threat of Babush Monseratte looming large as Siddharth had just scraped through with a margin of 1000 votes six months ago.
But that threat was nullified after Vijai roped in Babush to join Goa Forward and the latter extended support to Parrikar.
Congress on the other hand was struggling to find a suitable candidate in Panjim and imported Girish Chodankar from Fatorda to contest in Panjim.
Finally, Parrikar won with a margin of 4,000-odd votes and Vishwajit by 11,000-odd votes.
This changed the tally to BJP 14 and Congress 16, GF -3, MGP – 3, NCP -1 and Ind – 3.
Alliance partners’ dominance
After formation of government, the dominance of alliance partners was there for all to see.
As expected Vijai got the plum portfolios for his party ministers which included Fisheries, WRD, RDA, Ports, TCP, Agriculture etc.
On the other hand, Sudin got what he wanted Transport and PWD and Babu Azgaonkar Sports and Tourism. MGP also got a strong GSIDC corporation for its MLA Dipak Pauskar.
Rohan also got portfolio of Revenue and Information Technology.
