MARGAO
Under the scanner of politicos over his deafening silence post-results, giving rise to speculations over his political future, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai on Sunday did not rule out anything, saying the situation was different at present.
Taking to Twitter to reassure his voters that he will not take any step without their support and consent, Sardesai said he would take his people into confidence especially his voters from Fatorda before taking any decision for the good of Goa.
Sardesai said that in 2017, the Goa Forward had to extend support to Manohar Parrikar during the night since there was no possibility of the government formation the next day.
“The situation is different now. What my constituency and Goa wants will be done. Many suggestions have come from people of Fatorda in particular and Goans in general. I will take the public into confidence. I will take whatever decision which is good for Goa”, he added.
Saying that his silence should not be treated as something that he is acting on the sly, Sardesai evaded a query when questioned whether any BJP MLA was in touch with him, saying he enjoys cordial relations with all MLAs and people from all parties.
He, however, raised a moot question for the Opposition to introspect over the division of the non-BJP vote when there was a strong anti-BJP sentiment prevailing in the State.
“What have we sacrificed for Goa this election to uphold the people’s anti-government sentiment… how selfish were we”, he questioned.
His comments have indeed thrown up a question or two “ what is Sardesai trying to reassure his voters that he will not take any “step” without their support and consent. What is this “step” he is talking about that he would not take without consent of his supporters?
And, he has opened himself for another question “ what need has arisen to take consent of his supporters when they have recently re-elected him to represent them in the Goa Legislative Assembly on the Goa Forward, which had an alliance with the Congress.
Political observers are also trying to figure out what Sardesai meant as he repeatedly insisted that whatever decision he takes will be taken for the good of Goa after taking the workers into confidence and not behind closed doors a la 2017 when the regional outfit had extended support to prop up the Manohar Parrikar-led government.
That’s not all. The Goa Forward chief has raised a pertinent question for the Opposition to introspect, whether they have given justice to the people of Goa when there was a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the BJP. “We should be introspecting on this question. In fact, the Opposition should introspect why they could not do justice when there was a strong public sentiment against the BJP government”, he questioned.
“Have the opposition done enough sacrifice to avoid split in the non-BJP vote. The Goa Forward had sacrificed since we had settled for three seats when we were demanding seven with our coalition partner, Congress. We should all introspect why the Opposition has failed to unite. They are now pointing fingers at others”, he said.
This question assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of not only a split in the non-BJP vote across the state, but in his Fatorda constituency as well. In fact, sources say the Fatorda MLA has been upset after the poll results when he realized that Goa Forward’s alliance with the Congress has not benefitted him much in terms of vote share when parties such as the Revolutionary Goans, the Aam Admi Party and the Trinamool Congress almost polled around 3000 non-BJP vote in Fatorda, giving him a narrow victory over BJP rival Damu Naik.
