TG: Congress emerged as the single largest party with 17 MLAs and yet, it was unable to form government. What went wrong and how do you explain this situation?
BK: It is true that Congress party won more seats than BJP, but then there was no absolute majority. To form a government, a meeting was convened and discussion at the level of party’s general secretary and observer.
The party general secretary explained about its internal process to the media recently. It’s true that it took time to make a decision on government formation. Later, some senior leaders explained to us why it is important to follow the process before taking any strong decision.
TG: Despite a number of former chief ministers and veteran leaders in the party, you were elected the CLP leader.
BK: Senior party leaders had become opposition leaders in the past. So in the party, there was a feeling to have a young and an experienced Congressman who can raise the issues in the assembly and can handle the opposition leader’s part efficiently. I was unanimously elected as Opposition leader without any opposition and I am thankful to all my party colleagues.
TG: Some Congress MLAs are openly expressing their anger at the Congress leadership and there are speculations that some may even leave Congress. What are your plans to keep the party MLAs together?
BK: All 17 Congress party MLAs had high expectations of forming a Congress government in Goa after getting such a great response from Goans. People and the Congress MLAs were upset after learning the shocking development of BJP forming the government. But now, all Congress MLAs are united. The anger expressed by the MLAs was due to a disappointment that despite winning in their constituencies, they were unable to form the government.
TG: What are your priorities for the Congress in particular and Goa at large?
BK: My priorities as an opposition leader will be to point out and stress on the prevalent unresolved issues in the State. I will see that injustice is not meted out to Goans. I will see that the mistakes of the government are brought to light and it will be active participation of the opposition.
TG: Is Congress trying to pull some MLAs on its side to form the government?
BK: No comments.
