The one question that Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai does not want to answer is: Can he win from Fatorda in 2017 without an alliance with the Congress?
When asked to comment on reports that he is rooting for an grand alliance with the Congress to avoid a split in the secular vote in Fatorda that might affect his prospects of being re-elected, Vijai said, “As far as political alliances are concerned, that is something that we haven't thought of at the moment, but would be open to with those whose priority is to see to the welfare of Goenkars and offer a clean and just government. That's something that we can discuss when the situation arises”.
That's like saying, we will cross the bridge when we come to it. Not a good sign in politics.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the Independent MLA had virtually led the election campaign of Congress candidate Reginaldo Lourenco. Contrary to expectations, however, Reginaldo trailed behind the BJP nominee Narendra Sawaikar, though by a few hundred votes, in Fatorda despite Vijai’s extensive campaign for the Congress candidate.
Another crucial question that has come to the fore in Fatorda circles is whether Vijai can retain the seat without any alliance with the Congress. Unlike other seats in Salcete, the BJP has a strong presence in Fatorda. Against this background, a question repeatedly asked in the constituency is whether the BJP can be kept at bay in the constituency with too many players vying for the secular vote.
Meanwhile, Sardesai defended his decision to reject the call for a merger of Goa Forward into the Congress, holding Delhi as the cause behind all the problems faced by Goa and its people.
“Goa Forward is a political movement that has been formed solely to safeguard the interests of Goa, and Goenkars, which has been for many years trampled underfoot by the hegemonic Delhi parties and their rulers,” he said, while dismissing a suggestion that he is not keen on returning to the Congress fold out of fear that his re-election will be in doubt on the party banner in the coming election.
He said when the Congress denied him the ticket in 2012, he contested the election as a Goan. “I could have joined some other party but fought as an independent,” he said.
When asked whether his decision against returning to the Congress fold stems from the fact that the Congress candidate trailed behind the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha election leading Reginaldo Lourenco’s election campaign, Vijai said, "In 2014, I voiced the danger of an authoritarian communal regime emerging in a secular state like Goa, and like any progressive secular citizen, I fought against it. I have always stood for an ideology that favoured Goa throughout my political career. So the political decisions that I have taken are consistent with my ideology of a Goa by the Goans, of the Goans and for the Goans."
The Independent MLA said that Goa Forward is a natural consequence of his political journey, saying that political alliances are tactical, not just in Goa but around the world. “People of different leanings have come together and have defeated common evil. CPI-M in West Bengal joined hands with the Congress against Trinamool while they fought each other in Kerala. So did those in Bihar. But now is the time to rise above petty and short term political gains and think about taking Goa forward,” he said.
