Groups have been the highlights of Goa’s political space since long. The G-6, G-8, G-10 and now the rumoured G-18 that is hogging unnecessary attention. On most occasions, these groups are formed to rattle the ruling or to test its unity. Speculations over regional relevance and formation of G-18 makes only one point clear -- that even a remote political development in neighbouring Maharashtra is enough fodder to chew on for a hungry Goa political class. Call it shallow opportunism or a desperate attempt to seek political importance, taking comfort in Maharashtra development is indeed the height of political optimism.
Political scenarios of both States may overlap in terms of involvement of regional players, but ground realities are different. In Maharashtra, after uncertainties spanning days, both NCP and Congress finally buried the hatchet and gave Shiv Sena the charge. In terms of choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea, parties have preferred the latter. It’s still early days, and the government is yet to swim past the stability test. In Goa, the regional players haven’t gained that level of confidence and acceptability and hence can’t imagine leading the pack with minuscule numbers. Let’s not forget the turmoil which the regional players faced within their ranks in early 2019.
Sharad Pawar may have scored big with his tough posturing and political acumen in keeping the BJP at bay. Still, except for that euphoria over his leadership, it will have an insignificant influence on Goa politics. NCP will have to begin groundwork and will have to wait for another two years to seek a mandate. If Churchill Alemao has won the 2017 election on an NCP ticket, it is because of his self appeal and the failure of then MLA Caitu Silva. Moreover, Shiv Sena is virtually a non-entity in Goan politics, and even if the entire battery of NCP and Sena leaderships from Maharashtra descends, they will not be in a position to swing any equations for now.
Interestingly, much of the ire is towards Chief Minister Pramod Sawant over what is portrayed as a failure to protect the interest of Goa and Goans. The Opposition is holding on to a thin Mhadei thread around which all its angst is revolving. Amid speculations of a portfolio reshuffle, there is a small town talk of disgruntled MLAs within BJP charting out a new course. Legislators who are irrelevant to the current scheme of things are making themselves heard. But seriously, is anyone listening?
A section of the political class, including Goa Forward and the Independent MLA from Porvorim, are aimlessly taking potshots and testing the waters. Before even going beyond reason to prove the failure of the BJP government, the vocal Opposition must first win the confidence of the people that they have lost during their heydays. Their argument of Goemkarponn has no purchase. They must bear in mind that people have reconciled with the 10-member breakaway Congress only because of the resentment against a few.
In the weirdest of political scenarios, it would be foolish for any of the existing BJP MLAs, even if they are currently disgruntled, to seek comfort in aligning with any other party. It’s time Opposition gets into constructive criticism and tries to win over the trust of constituents first rather than involving in reckless slandering.
