The party is vying hard for an alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) in a bid to avoid division of Hindu votes.
Agreed the BJP has 27 MLAs today, meaning 69 p.c of the MLAs in the Assembly but can the party call them their own. Out of 27, 14 have been robbed from Congress and the MGP.
It would be interesting to see how many of these 14 will contest on BJP. Rumours suggest that at least 5 of the ten turncoats from Congress are planning to part ways with BJP and contest either independent or another party.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemakrponn
On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was in Goa for a day’s visit, said that he was sure that the Bharatiya Janata Party would get a full majority in the forthcoming elections in the State.
This statement was made at a function in Dharbandora.
However, a few hours later, in Taleigao, Amit Shah asked workers to give BJP Full Majority and not Alliance government.
One wonders what must have happened between those two hours wherein Mr Shah had to change his tone.
Interestingly, considering the anti-incumbency and the anti-people decisions of the Dr PRamod Sawant government, it would be interesting to see whether the party crosses double-digit, alone the full majority.
The party is vying hard for an alliance with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) in a bid to avoid division of Hindu votes.
Agreed the BJP has 27 MLAs today, meaning 69 p.c of the MLAs in the Assembly but can the party call them their own. Out of 27, 14 have been robbed from Congress and the MGP.
It would be interesting to see how many of these 14 will contest on BJP. Rumours suggest that at least 5 of the ten turncoats from Congress are planning to part ways with BJP and contest either independent or another party.
Secondly, infighting within the BJP could lead to a major setback to the saffron brigade ahead of the polls. It would be critical for Shah to look into the infightings before making bold statements of the full majority.
What happens if Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo leave BJP and contests on Congress ticket? Where does this leave the BJP?
He has a good influence in Bardez, which is the biggest taluka in North. So if Michael leaves, the BJP”s chances of winning Calangute, Saligao, Siolim, Aldona, Mapusa will diminish.
Similarly, all is not well between CM Dr Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane. The tow may picture great camaraderie, but insiders would tell you what is happening in reality.
Even if Vishwajit contests on BJP ticket, he would make sure the chief minister loses in Sankhalim so that it paves the way for him to achieve the dream of the coveted chair.
If Vishwajit goes against BJP again, there is a problem for the party in Valpoi, Poriem, Bicholim, Mayem and Sankhalim.
Similarly, Babush Monseratte is not very happy with BJP these days as the workers have openly criticised him. If that happens and Babush leaves BJP, chances in the Tiswadi taluka will be zero.
Of Course, late Manohar Parrikar’s son Utpal Parrikar is making inroads in the Panaji constituency and may get elected against Babush due to sympathy votes. However, he may not have the kind of influence like Babush in other constituencies of Tiswadi.
However, this all depends on IF’s and BUT’s. However, the BJP BJP must pay heed to these issues. If they can keep the flock together, who know they can, as projected, may get the majority single-handedly.