face-off: WOULD PEOPLE HAVE VOTED FOR GOA FORWARD IF THEY KNEW OF AN ALLIANCE WITH BJP?
Q Do you think that the three GFP MLAs would have got elected if people were told that they would back the BJP post election?
Vijai Sardesai: First of all, the GFP has not merged in the BJP. We are part of a coalition government. This question can be answered only by the voters of each constituency, but neither GFP nor the candidates have changed in any way. The question which needs to be answered is whether the people will vote for our party and our candidates at the next elections, and I am confident that once we prove our commitment and sincerity in the next few months, our candidates will win convincingly again.
Q Now coming to Fatorda, would Vijai Sardesai have been the first choice of the people if they knew that you would support the BJP?
VS: Once again, you will have to ask the people of Fatorda this question. But judging by the responses I am getting from my voters, most of them have now understood and agree with the decision taken by the party. The onus is now on the GFP and its MLAs to deliver on the promises regarding development and preservation of Goemkarponn. I am confident that we will achieve what we have set out to do and will be able to go back to our voters with our heads held high.
Q People accuse you for acting in haste in lending support to the BJP.
VS: There was no haste in the decision, though it was a quick one. But this unusual and extraordinary situation also needed a quick response. The Congress was at fault as they were abysmally slow and ponderous in reacting to the fast-changing situation. Their lack of unity and clarity prevented them from staking a claim and subsequent events have endorsed the correctness of our decision.
Q How do you react to the demand made in certain quarters that you resign and go back to the people and seek a fresh mandate on the question of supporting the BJP.
VS: I am part of a coalition government of which the BJP is also a part. I agree that I defeated a BJP candidate, but a Congress candidate was also fielded against me. Does that mean that I would have had to resign and go back to the people if I had been part of a government with the Congress? I have been elected to deliver on the promises of good governance made by me and people will judge me on my performance.
