the goan I network
MARGAO
It was March 12, 2017, a day after the election result threw a hung Assembly, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo descended on Goa Forward Party Chief Vijai Sardesai’s residence on the Davondem bandh with newly-elected GF MLAs Vinodabab Paliencar and Jayeshbab Salgaonkar on Sunday noon.
Michael Lobo’s mission was clear “ to ensure that the Goa Forward team headed by Vijai Sardesai does not do any re-think on their decision to join hands with the BJP by any chance and heads straight to the state capital. Around that time, Vijaibab and his trusted lieutenant Suraj Lotlikar and other GF leaders, including Dilip Prabhudesai, were huddled inside discussing the political developments over lunch.
Around the same time, a section of GF leaders were then of the opinion that the party should not extend support to Manohar Parrikar, but wait for the fall of the Congress government so that the Governor invites the BJP and allies to form a government. This opinion was not acceptable to Michael Lobo in particular as he feared that the Goa Forward team may buckle under pressure from supporters and religious leaders, before they all headed to Panaji.
July 12, 2019, exactly two years and four months, the Davondem bandh played host to the political activity, but of a different nature, with the BJP’s tally going up to 27 in the Goa Legislative Assembly and reports speaking of the imminent dropping of the Goa Forward ministers from the coalition.
The GF chief was holed up inside his palatial bungalow and his two ministers Jayesh Salgaokar and Vinoda Paliencar walked inside around noon for a meeting, but minus Michael Lobo. Unlike March 12, 2017, however, Michael was conspicuous by his absence as he was not seen with the two Goa Forward ministers to the Davondem bandh. While Vijai played a perfect host to the Goa Forward leaders before heading to Panaji to address the media, Michael was conspicuous by his absence.
On the contrary, Michael was one prominent BJP face during the emerging developments, who was seen everywhere, right from the Goa Legislative Assembly Complex to New Delhi, accompanying the 10-member group of Congress MLAs, who embraced the ruling party.
Less than a week ago, Sardesai had termed Michael Lobo as Goa Forward party’s natural ally, but appeared in no mood to make way for the Deputy Speaker in the Cabinet in place of Vinoda Paliencar. In fact, Sardesai, while wishing Michael the very best in realizing his dream of becoming a minister, was categorical in saying that Michael’s elevation cannot take place at the cost of Paliencar.
When the media drew attention of Goa Forward Vice-president Durgadas Kamat the statement made by Michael Lobo about the arrogance of some ministers, Durgadas shot back saying that Michael has made statement like a frog, indicating that relations between the Goa Forward and Michael Lobo have hit a low unlike March 12, 2017.
