Herald: Rumour mills are working overtime to suggest you are heading to MGP. Your say?
Madkaikar: Frankly speaking nothing has been decided so far whether I will join the BJP or MGP or I will contest as independent. But till now I am a Congress MLA but when time comes I may decide on future course. Of course MGP is approaching me, BJP has an offer and I have lot of options. Let us see how the Congress leadership reacts.
I have to consult my workers and supporters before deciding anything.
Herald: But you are also not very happy with Congress. Are you?
Madkaikar: Yes, I have shown my resentment against the party leadership. I am not satisfied with the functioning of party. The elections are nearing and we do not have any strategy, plan or roadmap to show to people or the MLAs how the Congress intends to form government in 2017.
Herald: Did you discuss this with the leadership?
Madkaikar: I have tried my best to discuss with the local party leadership that we should form strategies. First of all we have to give confidence to the people and the workers that Congress is forming the next government unless this happens people will not come to the party.
Everybody now wants power. When our central leaders come they just talk of forming booth committees, block committees and blocks; this is not the time to do that. This is time to look beyond that and check where we have failed.
Herald: Is it only you or other MLAs also agree with your sentiments in the party?
Madkaikar: I have shown my resentment but my colleagues share similar feelings. Of course I have dared to show that but others have their own reservation. I hope party will learn something and will try to work out something keeping in view our sentiments.
Otherwise I will have to think something because the question is of my career as a politician. We know what we are facing sitting in Opposition. We have committed lot of things to the public. Again if we are in opposition what face we have to go to people.
They expect us to do some work in the constituency.
Herald: Do you think Congress has a realistic chance to form the next government under present circumstances?
Madkaikar: If you see, there is resentment for both parties amongst the public. People are not happy with both Congress and BJP and are looking for a new option. Considering the situation Congress should take advantage of BJP U-turns on various issues and but they have failed. If they really put in efforts to show the people they are forming government then people will remain with Congress but now I think we have less time.
We start talking to other people. We have to start getting people from other parties.
Herald: How can the infighting in Congress be sorted like Vishwajit v/s Luizinho, etc?
Madkaikar: Issues of Vishwajit, me and Babu Kavlekar are different. Babu and I are talking on the same lines. Babu and I want the party to start preparing for elections and make efforts to come to power whereas Vishwajit has just one point agenda his father should be the chief minister and he is not bothered of anything. His thinking is different from what I think and what other MLAs feel.
Herald: Of late Goa has seen hectic political activity with Kejriwal, Amit Shah coming down and the Defence Minister making frequent trips. But that does not seem to be the case with Congress. Your view?
Madkaikar: Let me put it this way, Congress is not bothered of Goa. Three months back Rahul Gandhi called some of us to Delhi. I suggested to him he should also call the MLAs to Delhi for discussion. Merely speaking with senior people will not help as they are trying to push names for tickets. But he did not take any cognizance of my suggestion. Thereafter, I and Digambar Kamat asked for an appointment with Rahul Gandhi but again they have not bothered. Forget about them coming down to Goa they are not giving us appointment to meet in Delhi to discuss issues. Those central leaders who are coming are causing more harm than good for the party.
On the contrary BJP’s Amit Shah, Defence Minister are in Goa continuously, AAP’s Kejriwal and other leaders are in Goa. But our leadership is sleeping so what I should do or what I should do at this moment? I also have to think of my future and my people’s future.
I really have doubt in my mind whether the Congress is sure on this issue – on forming the government in Goa.
Herald: You were seen huddled with Babush Monserrate and Sudin Dhavalikar at a five star hotel recently. Can you tell us what is cooking?
Madkaikar: The meeting at Vivanta was a coincidence it was not with any planning or anything like that. But that is an old story you talk of something new. I met Sudin few days back and I have discussed lot of things like the current political situation of Goa what will happen in future, etc.
Herald: Please continue
Madkaikar: …but there was nothing official. Sudin has helped me a lot even though I am in Opposition. He is my good friend also and we meet regularly.
Herald: What is your view on tickets to oldies in the party and grand alliance?
Madkaikar: It is my view and feeling that Congress should not give tickets to the ones who have been rejected by the people. On alliance I think Congress does not have any other option rather than that. I always said time and again we should have alliance with Vijai, Babush, Rohan, Naresh and other like-minded people. Individually, I don’t think Congress has any chances to win.
It is impossible to make the 21 mark without alliance.
