Will BJP in Goa read between the lines of the poll verdict in the five states? The Congress has romped home triumphant, sweeping the key states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and a huge gain in Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his brand of politics and policies have been rejected. The cracks are visible ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Public resentment over unfulfilled promises has hit the BJP hard, be it the distressed farmers or the disgruntled tribals.
The narrative in these five states has a message for Goa too. If there is outcry against Modi, there is bitter resentment against the Goa government too with people standing up against key government proposals and decisions. At the heart is the ongoing mining imbroglio where mining-dependents are made to run from pillar to post in the hope of resumption of business. Add to this disgruntled allies and a shaky administration in the absence of an active role of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. The picture doesn’t look encouraging.
This poll result is a vote against false hope. If the farmer voted Modi to power in 2014, the same farmer is responsible for showing the BJP the door for its failure to honour promises. And that is why traditional bastions have moved away from the BJP in hordes. In Goa, the scene is no different. The mining dependents are living on false hopes given by the government. The issue which was oscillating between an ordinance and an amendment to the mining act has now landed in the capital. There have been timelines and there have been several delegations making Delhi visits. While the mining dependents have shifted base to take part in a three-day dharna in Delhi, it is surprising to see that several in the government, instead of being facilitators, ended up as protesters. What happened to all those deadlines and promises?
Politically speaking, these results will force the BJP back into the boardroom to re-work strategies for Goa too. If there were plans of dissolution, these reversals are enough to stop the saffron party in its tracks. The BJP cannot afford to concede ground in Goa at this stage, neither can it afford to ignore its allies. The results will force the BJP to climb-down from the tough posturing it has been doing so far. It remains to be seen how it proceeds in addressing ticklish issues that the BJP promised to address after December 11.
It’s time the BJP wakes up to the results. Alarm bells are ringing loud and clear. Ignore the pulse of the people and be prepared to face the consequences.
