Former forest minister and Cortalim MLA Alina Saldhana's exit from the BJP had a bitter end and turned out to be a game of ego politics and one-upmanship. Hours after Alina resigned from the BJP, State party president Sadanand Tanavade claimed that she was expelled from the party for involvement in anti-party activities. In a letter, Tanavade attributed the expulsion to her anti-party activities "such as opposing various projects supported by the BJP and attending anti-BJP meetings." On Friday, peace was restored as BJP accepted her resignation and decided to drop proceedings.
On the flip side, Alina lashed out at the BJP on her way out saying that the party has "forgotten all its principles and there's bedlam in the State." She recollected the role of her late husband and said if Mathany Saldanha was alive he would be on fast to protect Goa and Goans.
Alina's resignation, the first by a sitting MLA, has ruffled feathers in the BJP camp and Tanavade's claim of expelling her before resigning is a clear indication of egos being hurt. It makes no difference at this stage whether a legislator is expelled or not, and threatening Alina with disqualification only shows that the BJP was garnering all its resources to exact revenge.
If BJP had taken cognizance of any "anti-party" activities, the party leadership could have reprimanded her long back, or at least should have put her on notice. It was no secret that Alina was critical of double-tracking and coal expansion and fearlessly campaigned against it in her constituency. The point is, why would BJP consider action on the eve of an election after playing mute all along? If her outbursts have caused an embarrassment to the BJP, what about Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo who has been frequently taking cudgels against some of the key government decisions, besides hobnobbing with other rival parties?
On the other side, Alina has taken the high ground and slammed BJP for losing out on principles. She said she was feeling suffocated and blamed the party for being "anti-people". If I am with the people, I cannot be with BJP anymore", she said. The question here is what was she doing in the BJP for so long if she had a genuine concern for people? Obviously, her decision is propelled by the electoral math where it is difficult for her to win on a BJP ticket. Speaking of principles at this stage has no meaning.
There's no denying that Alina opposed double-tracking tooth-and-nail and showed strong resolve to save houses and stop coal pollution in the area. She attended rallies and meetings, speaking loud and clear of her opposition to the project. But, why did she not act and quit when her pleas fell on deaf ears with even her appeals to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant going unheard? Why did Alina cling to the power of BJP despite being ignored?
Leaders continue to play politics with the sentiments of people to leverage their electoral fortunes. Late political manoeuvres indicate that personal agendas override everything, the noise that sounds it is all haze.
