It appears the Congress plan has worked like a charm on the coalition partners. Otherwise how does one explain TCP Minister Vijai Sardesi asking Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to issue a public statement that the BJP is not planning dissolution of the House? And South Goa MP and general secretary of BJP state unit Narendra Sawaikar was quick to act on his master’s command issuing a statement assuring that the Goa Legislative Assembly will not be dissolved.
The TCP Minister then claims it’s a frantic attempt by the Congress to ruffle the coalition and create confusion. If that was the case, why did the key coalition ally bite the bait? Why did he ask the chief minister to clarify? The very fact that the Congress talk of dissolution triggered doubts in the minds of Vijai only goes to show a sense of insecurity and distrust that lay underneath.
The bigger question however is: How far is Vijai, or for that matter all allies, convinced with Parrikar’s assurance or Sawaikar’s letter that followed saying there won’t be dissolution? This entire episode appears bizarre in its truest sense. Does this letter or an informal assurance suffice? Is this some kind of legal document that binds the chief minister or the party against dissolution? And of all the leaders, why should Sawaikar issue the assurance letter when he is not even part of the Assembly? In politics, promises are made and promises are broken, but that could be a subject matter of another debate.
Congress apprehension of a looming dissolution stems from the sudden pace at which government is surging ahead with various works. However, the bare-knuckled tussles between coalition partners should be a bigger concern for the BJP. The simmering discontent at every cabinet meeting is obvious. The recent spat between Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude and PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar threatens to snowball into a bigger issue with the MGP now asking Gaude’s ouster. In a recent business advisory committee meeting it was Vijai and Sudin locking horns over a project. Even the infamous Vishwajit Rane audio tape had a mention of consistent brawls between cabinet colleagues. With an ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar being a silent spectator, there has been no troubleshooting happening and that makes it even worse.
Add to this MGP’s decision to ignore BJP’s requests against contesting both Shiorda and Mandrem with even Sudin expressing helplessness. Moreover, the BJP continues to face an uphill task of coming to a consensus over its candidates, a decision that could see grass root workers splitting ranks. A defeat at the bypoll virtually means conceding the advantage and the BJP at this point cannot afford to lose the two seats.
While the BJP stands at crossroads grappling with issues within the coalition and an uncertain bypoll pitch ahead, it remains to be seen how seriously Vijai takes these assurances against dissolution, knowing well that he will never be forewarned of such a possibility.
