We had some regional parties win in Goa’s electoral history, with the last being the Goa Forward Party which, unfortunately, did a U-turn on Goa’s interests and supported BJP after results of last elections. So there is a reason for Goans like myself to be apprehensive about local Goan parties. Revolutionary Goans Party, which sprung a big surprise by winning the St Andre seat, was a surprise entrant in Goa’s political space. But the victory of the local outfit raises some serious questions. Had it not been for RG splitting votes, BJP would have lost 9-11 seats. There are certain seats where RG knew it never stood a chance. In that case, why did it not give these seats up and allow another winnable party to win and defeat the BJP? Wasn’t the primary objective of RG to get rid of the BJP? Why did RG not do the same as it did in Aldona where the Congress candidate went through by defeating the BJP candidate as a result of no split in anti-BJP votes? There are critical things now at stake for Goa -- coal infrastructure projects including the double-tracking through pristine villages. How will the RG stop these unwanted and destructive projects promoted by the BJP along with its corporate sponsors and backers? I hope and wish strongly that RG proves me and many Goans wrong now, particularly now that they have a seat in the Goa Assembly. Finally, the proof is in the pudding. The ball is now in RG’s court.
