Many current MLAs’ find themselves close to MGP
He belongs to a family of priests and lives in the Mahalakshmi temple. And he has one prayer – to be Chief Minister of Goa in 2017. And never before in the past decade has Sudhin Dhavlikar, Goa’s PWD Minister come as close to becoming king rather than be the eternal king maker. A perennial game changer in any government formation with just enough MLAs to make a difference between majority or not, Dhavlikar is the badsha of small numbers for big gains. In 2017, the pre-poll shifts are working in his favour with a few riders. The shift of shift votes away from the BJP will most certainly drift to the MGP, especially in the non-coastal areas. In the coastal belt, the possibility of a non-Congress, non-BJP front dominating is very high. Though it is early days yet, a synergy of these two forces will spell absolute doom for the BJP. But this happening isn’t easy because the power trip and the presence of disparate forces could make a grand alliance unfruitful. But for now, nothing can ever be ruled out.
Sudhin Dhavlikar, his brother Deepak and Ponda MLA, Lavoo Mamladar are the faces of the MGP leadership which dominates the party at all levels. At the cost of seeming dictatorial- with some calling it the Dhavlikar party, the MGP thrives and survives on the power and money backing that the Dhavlikars bring to the table.
In a wide ranging conversation with Herald and HCN at his residence at the Mahalakshmi Temple in the Madcaim constituency, Dhavlikar didn’t open his cards too much but the sense one got in the 2 hour interaction was that he is in no mood to play second fiddle to the BJP. He is likely to push for a seat share which the BJP will find impossible to agree and then go for a very last minute parting of ways. It is clear that Dhavlikar is pushing the party and himself to look, at the very least at 25 candidates across Goa with an aim of winning between 12 and 15. But more than numbers, MGP’s positioning is looking to change from a fledgling party which is fading away to a resurrected regional formation which is stepping in to fulfil an opposition vacuum, even as it continues to be a part of the ruling alliance.
He gave a formal interview to Rupesh Samat of HCN.
Herald: What is the future of MGP? Do you want to go along with BJP or stand alone in the forthcoming polls?
Sudhin Dhavlikar: Right now we are with the BJP. But MGP has a bright future. We are working in all the constituencies. It was decided during the formation of the coalition itself that each party will work towards expanding its base. But we will not encroach upon each other. We have several former MLAs joining us. We have told them not to join for the sake of a ticket. Let them work and earn a ticket. There are many current MLAs too who are finding MGP close to them.
Herald: Do you foresee yourself as Chief Minister somewhere in future?
SD: Every politician in the State aspires to be Chief Minister. I also want to be chief minister. I am the senior most. The topmost political position in the State is that of Chief Minister. But for that we require to have the majority of MLAs with us. What is important is not to become Chief Minister but to deliver for the people of the State. We have taken up several projects and people have realized that we are for the welfare of Goans.
Herald: How will you percolate into the belts where the minority community is in large numbers? You have been dishing out some controversial statements.
SD: The statements made by me or by my brother or my sister-in-law have been misinterpreted by the media. We have been brought up in such a serene and culturally rich ambience. What’s wrong in saying that such an ambience should exist all across Goa? We have not spoken against any convent school. You ask people around how many churches I have built. Our family has spent its personal money to build churches and chapels in this taluka. MGP will be accepted by all the people. MGP is in the heart of the people, including the minorities. She (Lata Dhavlikar, Sudhin’s brother Deepak Dhavlikar’s wife) spoke against a specific school which did not allow girls to wear bindis or bangles. We have nothing against convent schools, or any minority institutions. MGP will be accepted by all the people. MGP is in the heart of the people, including the minorities.
Herald: How were your six months with Laxmikant Parsekar as Chief Minister?
SD: We are working for the people. During the last six months, we have managed to achieve a lot for the State. The efforts were a combined one along with the Union Defence minister Manohar Parrikar and chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar. We have managed to get so many projects going. You will see the results in the years to come.
Herald: But there’s a difference between Parsekar and Parrikar
SD: You cannot compare the two people. We came to power in 2012 with Parrikar as Chief Minister. He did so much for the development of the State. Now we have Parsekar. There is development happening even in the constituencies of opposition MLAs.
BJP has cheated people &
their leaders are arrogant
In the dusty town of Bicholim, trappings of power are witnessed in the small things. For instance, when MLA Naresh Sawal’s car stops near the police station, even with him not being there being in it, at least one constable jumps out and charges to the car with a sense of purpose. When the occupants of the car move out and cross the road, all other traffic is blocked. At the MLA’s office on Tuesday, one of his constituency days, the nicely done compact cottage office is buzzing. Amidst listening to people, taking decisions and making calls, enters a smartly dressed young lady with a wad of notes. Sawal smiles and looks at two reporters in the room and smiles. “Arre she is from HDFC bank and has come to give me my personal cash”. Looking at the young banker he says “You should have brought this in an envelope. These reporters may think anything.”
Reputation is Sawal’s biggest asset. In the 2012 assembly polls, an election which the BJP swept, Sawal not only kept the Vishwajeet Rane sponsored defector Rajesh Patnekar at bay, but kept the BJP from making inroads. He soon leapfrogged in being not just an independent MLA, but someone running an independent course. In the run up to 2017, Sawal will be a key player not just here but in deciding the shape of a non-congress, non-BJP fresh front. He spoke to Rupesh Samant of HCN. The interview was conducted for the channel and for Herald.
Herald: Is BJP still strong in Bicholim?
Naresh Sawal: If you want to know, check the results of the recent zilla panchayat polls. The people have shown what their strength is. Their strength will be known during the forthcoming State Assembly Polls.
Herald: What are the factors responsible for the dwindling strength of BJP in the Bicholim constituency?
NS: They have a government in the State. For the last two and a half years, I supported them. But despite my support, then Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar failed to keep the promises he made. He had agreed to upgrade the primary health centre or take up the work of government building. There was also a proposal for an auditorium in that building. We also wanted a market complex. Bicholim has seven schools, there is
a higher secondary and college each, but despite having so many educational institutions, we have no ground. Parrikar had assured completion of this work. Even during Bhatagram festival, he had made public announcement to start developmental projects. In the last two and a half years, the construction of projects was supposed to start.
But on the other hand, they have started behaving vengeful with the people. Their General Secretary (Satish Dhond) stopped my school project.
Herald: Why do you think Shilpa Naik (the candidate of controversial BJP general Secretary Satish Dhond in the Latambarsem constituency in the Zilla Parishad elections) lost?
NS: The BJP government and the party office bearers don’t know how to behave
with people. They behave arrogantly. So people voted against the party.
Herald: Which office bearer?
NS: Shilpa Naik and General Secretary, Satish Dhond were arrogant. Ask people how arrogantly they were behaving.
Herald: There has been a huge shift in the political space in Goa. What are the shifting sands?
NS: The opposition Congress party has given up. They are voiceless in the assembly or outside it. BJP was voted to power by the people as they expected to stop illegal mining and people involved in it to be booked. They did nothing. That means they have cheated people. They had assured casinos would be shifted, but the casinos are still there. The MOI decision was taken without taking people in confidence. People are quiet as BJP is in power. The voters are waiting for the election.
Herald: Is there a possibility of third front or will the MGP enter that space?
NS: There is a possibility of a third front and I will definitely support it. We can’t say but MGP is a local party and it can also make the best out of the current situation in the state.
Herald: Do you regret and repent supporting the BJP?
NS: I repent supporting them. During the President’s election, I was with them. Even on the floor of the house I supported them. I had hopes that Manohar Parrikar would execute some development in Bicholim. But he cheated us. We wanted upgradation of the PHC. But he did nothing. BJP, during its last term of four and a half years and the current term of two and a half years has done nothing for the people of Bicholim. I had challenged them to show at least one foundation stone, or inauguration plate, signalling the commencement of a project and if they did show, I would resign as MLA. If they manage to complete a single project in Bicholim, I will not contest the forthcoming polls. I don’t want to show power. I am for development. BJP has selected only its own people in Bicholim and gave them low post jobs. The higher posts like that of police sub-inspector are sold by the BJP leaders, The same money was pumped in contesting ZP elections.
