Former chief minister and senior Congress MLA Ravi Naik returned to the BJP fold a few months ahead of elections, bringing with him a crucial Bhandari advantage that Opposition parties have been eyeing for some time. Ironically, with the entry of Naik, the Congress imports have now outnumbered BJP's MLAs in the party setup. With only 13 BJP candidates getting a mandate in the 2017 elections, the party now braces up for the 2022 elections with an additional 14 roped in from Congress.
The BJP may be pushing itself in a comfort zone by dismantling the Opposition, but it could face resentment within because of compatibility issues between leaders and cadre. Importing leaders from outside have not only blocked avenues for aspiring leaders but has also thrown its party cadre and structure in disarray putting a question mark over the second-rung of leaders. Hardcore BJP leaders who aspired to move up and seek recognition find themselves left out in the new scheme of things.The power politics that BJP is playing out in the foreground has been an exercise of one-upmanship targeted towards blunting the Opposition and strengthening its hold. The irony is that legislators who find the Opposition role non-rewarding and are impatient to sit on the sidelines for five years have preferred a shortcut. What’s worse is that leaders who once fought pitched battles have overnight turned out to be colleagues and political friends. Let's not forget the baggage that Ravi Naik carried, having been linked to drugs along with Roy Naik, besides the repeated censure as a "failed home minister". The credibility and sincerity of both the ruling and the Opposition members stand compromised.
BJP's Goa in-charge Devendra Fadnavis' assertion that Congress could soon be reduced to a two-member 'cycle party' reflects the brutal ambition in poaching MLAs. It shows how there is a mindful manipulation of the mandate to strategically tide over tight situations. On the other side, Naik's exit from the party on the eve of elections indicates that the leadership has failed to address a crucial issue, much against the assurances of central leaders.
Rather than being critical of Ravi Naik's links to other parties, the Congress should blame itself for considering him a spent force and not attempting to retain him. BJP's move to bring him in will not only hit the Congress chances in Ponda but will also influence a fairly large section of Bhandari voters that has allegiance to the Naiks.
It's too late for the party to introspect on defections. Instead of finding excuses, the Congress leadership must find convincing answers. Plugging defections is a major challenge, and outfits like Aam Aadmi Party have moved swiftly to address it. No matter how sincerely Congress tries to defend its turf and discredit the leaders who have left, desertions and defections will erode the confidence of the voter in the party.
