There is simmering anger amongst the BJP karyakartas which is suppressed for reasons that are very obvious.
They knew this was coming and are now trying hard to reconcile with the induction of the Congress MLAs, who were their rivals just six months ago. Many feel that this was not needed as the party had adequate numbers and the BJP-led government was cruising along comfortably.
“Last time, we were in the minority with just 13 MLAs and needed the numbers to form the government. So, taking those 10 Congress MLAs was an exigency which was acceptable among the rank and file. But this time, we have 20 MLAs and support from other five legislators. The equation was good,” a senior BJP leader from Saligao said.
He said the original party karyakartas were very upset with the decision of the party, more so because there was no immediate threat to the government in power.
“Just six months ago, we took on the rival with all our might in the assembly election. Today, the same rival is given entry into the party without even informing the karyakartas who sweated it out during the electioneering. And why? If the government required the numbers then the people, karyakartas and voters understand. This is a bit too much to digest,” he said.
In a high octane battle for supremacy in the assembly elections from Saligao, BJP’s import from Goa Forward Party on the eve of the election, Jayesh Salgoankar crossed swords with Kedar Naik of the Congress, who was a former BJP karyakarta, which was won by the latter.
Former Saligao MLA and BJP Vice President Dilip Parulekar said the state leaders of the BJP had conveyed to them the information about the entry of the eight Congress MLAs after completing the induction process on Wednesday noon.
“The BJP core committee was briefed about the entry of the Congress MLAs. We were told that instructions came from the top. If higher authorities of the party have decided to take them in, we have little say on it. Nobody spoke at the meeting,” Parulekar told The Goan.
“We are loyal to the party. We are not concerned who comes and goes. We work for the party and the country,” he added.
Similar sentiments played out in Siolim where diehard BJP workers fought a high pitch poll battle against Delilah Lobo, an outsider, whose only trump card was being the wife of former minister Michael Lobo.
The BJP karyakartas in the constituency have not taken the party’s decision too kindly but are ready to wait and watch.
“My dad is a very senior member of the BJP. He has contributed a lot for the rise of the party in the State. To take any rash decision because of this little development is not right. People like Michael Lobo will be in the party today and vanish tomorrow. We will wait and watch,” said Samir Mandrekar, son of ex-MLA Dayanand Mandrekar, who is presently the State BJP Yuva Chief.
