Central BJP leadership’s move to scout for an interim leader in place of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was met by some knee-jerk reactions from party functionaries who continue to remain in denial mode, while two members of Central Advisory Committee raised a feverish pitch slamming the decision.
When Union Minister Nitin Gadkari spent hours with coalition partners trying to figure out the acceptability quotient of the few people in his leadership list, it was a clear indicator that the BJP high command was quietly working in the background. And rightly so, BJP is looking at options in a situation where recovery of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar goes into extra time.
Diverse opinions have emerged from across the political spectrum over central BJP’s moves of identifying alternatives. Some have called for an explanation, while others have cautioned that nobody should make an opportunity out of adversity. Talking of a leadership change is made out to be an untouchable subject. At the core is a chief minister who has commanded respect across the State. This was evident when almost every Goan watched with bated breath his sudden visit to the State from his hospital bed in Lilavati to present a curtailed budget. There was emotion all around and there was praise for his courage. The state is still in prayer for their chief minister. Beyond this poignant side, there is a big responsibility that the chief minister carries as a head of the State. The administration cannot run on make-shift arrangements over an extended period of time. Reporting to US for approvals and sanctions could be an interim measure which many in the government would still side with due to various political compulsions, but in all fairness this cannot be a practical solution for a longer span of time.
It is against this backdrop that the party’s Central leadership is absolutely on the right course in testing the waters for a provisional leadership. It is for the BJP high command to assess the situation and come on common ground with the allies since the government was formed with a rider that Parrikar would be the chief minister.
It’s another story that BJP is still in a dilemma of sorts since there is no consensus on an interim leader. There is also a worry looming in the background that Congress may seize this opportunity and try to maneouver the numbers in its favour. It is against this fear that an improbable option of mid-term poll is being floated. For now, BJP will have to take some tough decisions while doing a very delicate balancing act.
