AERIAL VIEW
The Dhavlikar brothers, who delayed the letter of support in 2017 and 2019 (after Manohar Parrikar’s demise) to get their demands approved, wasted no time on March 10, sensing that they may have to stay another term out of power.
On the other hand, it is clear now that there is no unanimity within the BJP itself, which can stake claim with the support of three independents – Aleixo Reginald Lourenco, Dr Chandrakant Shetye and Anton Vas on whether to take support of MGP or not. It has been four days since the results were announced, as there is an ambiguity on MGP and the new CM issue.
Shockingly, the party’s central observers, too, are yet to arrive in State. A three-hour journey suddenly taking days after days.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
Since March 10, as soon as the BJP got to the magic number of 20 seats, an unexpected one, there have been calls from the MLA-elect, especially Ravi NaiK and Govind Gaude, not to take the “unconditional” support of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
The MGP, which has just two seats – Sudin Dhavalikar in Marcaim and Jit Arolkar in Mandrem, gave the letter of support to BJP within a few hours after counting concluded.
The Dhavlikar brothers, who delayed the letter of support in 2017 and 2019 (after Manohar Parrikar’s demise) to get their demands approved, wasted no time on March 10, sensing that they may have to stay another term out of power.
On the other hand, it is clear now that there is no unanimity within the BJP itself, which can stake claim with the support of three independents – Aleixo Reginald Lourenco, Dr Chandrakant Shetye and Anton Vas on whether to take support of MGP or not. It has been four days since the results were announced, as there is an ambiguity on MGP and the new CM issue.
Shockingly, the party’s central observers, too, are yet to arrive in State. A three-hour journey suddenly taking days after days.
But frankly, does the BJP need the support of MGP – the answer is yes and no.
Yes, simply because there is already confusion between acting CM Dr Pramod Sawant and the CM-aspirant Vishwajit Rane. The Valpoi MLA-elect, in fact, shocked everyone by meeting the Governor on Saturday. Speculations suggested he would resign – as he did in 2017, as recontest on Congress ticket. But that was not as he refuted reports saying it was a courtesy call.
The second reason is that while Vishwajit has two seats (wife Deviya), another couple that is upset with BJP is the Monseratte couple, and Babush Monseratte made no bones of his sentiments. He clearly hit out at BJP top brass, saying the workers worked against him and his wife.
So out of 20, four seats (of couples) may ditch the BJP at any given time as the history has proved in the past about Babush and Vishwajit, so the BJP would want to be on the safer side having the support of two MGP MLAs.
Now the second question is why BJP should not take support from MGP?
The answer is simple 1. Sudin Dhavalikar cannot be trusted. If Visjwajit Rane and Babush Monseratte leave and Dhavalikar gets a better deal from the break-away group, he is sure to go. He has proved that in the past. He will use the BJP to the maximum, and when he sees an opportunity to topple the government, he will pounce on it.
2. Taking support from MGP will undoubtedly hurt the sentiments of the BJP blocks, which toiled hard to bring in narrow or hard-fought wins, especially Ponda and Priol.
Thirdly, just a day before the counting, Dhavalikar, believing the exit polls, which suggested 15-15 for BJP & Congress, announced that he would never extend support to Dr Pramod Sawant led government and that BJP had cheated him.
However, he had to eat up his words within 24 hours.
So even if the BJP takes the support from MGP, it would be symbolic and not whole-hearted as MGP has extended it because it has no other option.
The moment they see an option – it would be all over for this another little fling.
So despite the BJP having a majority, it has to make several smart decisions on whom to trust and whom not?
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