Mahesh Ghadi
The appointment of Satish Dhond as organizing secretary by the BJP in Goa was the first signal that the BJP wants to strengthen the image of its cadre. The same was smashed to bits after the importing of Congress MLAs into the party’s fold. Even the morale of the cadre was down. The day Dhond took over as BJP organizing secretary, he was given a heroic welcome by the BJP cadres. Everyone was sure that now cadre will have their say in party’s major decisions.
Second incident, which ignited spirit of the party workers was the clash between Congress and BJP workers at Congress headquarters in December 2018. Some even say it was a planned and well-articulated act to bring back the lost confidence of the cadre.
Now look at the naming of Pramod Sawant as a successor of late Manohar Parrikar. When Parrikar was battling his illness, there was suspense about who would be his successor. Many political pundits were of the opinion that the BJP didn’t have a suitable successor. That they would allow Sudin Dhavalikar from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party to be Parrikar’s successor on the condition that MGP merges with the BJP.
Another theory was appointed Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane who had left the Congress and joined the BJP.
All this while, the BJP cadre was a silent and mute spectator. They wanted either Speaker Pramod Sawant or Ayush Minister Shripad Naik in the Chief Minister’s seat.
Parrikar always put his weight behind Pramod Sawant. But party was not sure how alliance partners would react to Sawant’s candidature. He was opposed by some of his own party colleagues too. Considering all these factors, most of political analysts were of the opinion that crowning of a person from the BJP cadre would be difficult for the ruling party.
After the demise of former CM Manohar Parrikar, BJP central leaders discussed Pramod Sawant’s name as successor. For many political pundits, this was impossible to fathom as BJP alliance partners may not have supported a junior MLA.
Experienced leaders like Sudin Dhavlikar, heavyweights like Vijai Sardessai and independents flexed their muscles against Sawant. Sources from the BJP also claimed that even Vishwajit Rane, was not fully in favor of Sawant as his leader. But BJP’s central leaders strongly stood behind Pramod Sawant. They announced his name as successor and told alliance partners to stand with him. Pramod Sawant’s relations with Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the former CM also tilted the odds in his favour.
According to the BJP, Pramod Sawant is a cadre based candidate who was groomed under Manohar Parrikar. One of the first statements by the new chief minister, also signifies that Parrikar was his guru and he was his student.
On the other side, appointment of Sawant will boost the morale of cadre. Now, cadre will have a major say in party’s important decisions. Despite not being single largest party and with the stalwart alliance partners, it was not easy for the party to pick Pramod Sawant as chief minister.
Now what can the Congress learn from the appointment of Sawant?
The congressmen who worked selflessly and helped the party become the single largest party were always waiting to see rule of Congress in Goa. Despite having the ability to garner majority, it was because of the selfish attitude of some party leaders that the Congress failed to fulfill this dream of the real Congressmen. They got the opportunity several times, but as usual failed to choose their leader. Various attempts made by the Congress turned futile. One of the Congressmen mentioned to me about how the party’s failure to form government demoralized Congress workers.
People also perceive that Congress will not be able to form government since they do not have capacity to take decisions quickly. The adage, many cooks spoil the soup applies perfectly to the Congress party in Goa.
There were rumours about Margao Congress MLA Digambar Kamat joining the BJP to become Parrikar’s successor. Although talks of joining BJP were refuted by Digambar Kamat, the rumours affected the morale of BJP workers.
Entry of Kamat during the Lok Sabha election would have badly damaged BJP’s perception at the national level also. Former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar who was also defense minister enjoyed very high credibility in other states. Presently BJP has 14 MLAs, out of which six are imported from other parties. The remaining four have no cadre background and MLA Rajesh Patnekar has a history of switching political parties. Only Sawant is from the trusted cadre. Appointment of Sawant is also a message to alliance partners and some imported BJP MLAs not to try and blackmail the party or go lobbying around to snatch a bigger share.
Stay in the party and groom your leadership is the message. Party will not tolerate any act that will damage future of their core. It may consider some adjustments like giving two deputy CM posts or inducting MLAs from other parties but will not consider a successor other than from the cadre.
With such tricky arithmetic, however, one would not dare give a guarantee of survival to the current dispensation but such arithmetic works only with the blessings of the central government.
One appointment, one decision but laden with many potent messages. The cadre will come first hereon.
