“At his public event, Amit Shah’s message was straightforward — the BJP delivers. The “Mhaje Ghar” initiative, regularising illegal houses of thousands of Goans, is politically potent. Housing, much like welfare schemes in other BJP-ruled states, creates direct beneficiaries who associate tangible benefits with the ruling party.
For a state where housing and land rights remain major issues, the optics of Shah personally distributing keys to new homeowners mattered. It was more than symbolism; it was a reminder that the BJP, even in a small state like Goa, continues to blend governance with political strategy.”
Two contrasting political scenes unfolded in Goa last weekend that summed up the state’s shifting political reality.
On one hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah handed over homes to beneficiaries under the “Mhaje Ghar” scheme, a flagship initiative projected as proof of the BJP’s commitment to governance and welfare.
On the other hand, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Goa visit was marked by sharp criticism of the Congress and not the ruling party. The symbolism was hard to miss — while the BJP showcased delivery, the Opposition displayed division.
The optics couldn’t have been more telling. Shah’s visit was all about continuity, consolidation, and control. Kejriwal’s was about confrontation — not with the ruling BJP but with an already weakened Congress, the very party AAP would need to ally with if it hopes to challenge the government in 2027. This contrast exposes what many in Goa’s political circles already believe: that the BJP’s dominance in the state is as much due to its organisational strength as it is to the Opposition’s chronic disunity.
At his public event, Amit Shah’s message was straightforward — the BJP delivers. The “Mhaje Ghar” initiative, regularising illegal houses of thousands of Goans, is politically potent. Housing, much like welfare schemes in other BJP-ruled states, creates direct beneficiaries who associate tangible benefits with the ruling party.
For a state where housing and land rights remain major issues, the optics of Shah personally distributing keys to new homeowners mattered. It was more than symbolism; it was a reminder that the BJP, even in a small state like Goa, continues to blend governance with political strategy.
The BJP’s ground network in Goa, combined with its central backing, allows it to maintain a steady hold despite occasional waves of anti-incumbency. Its strategy is clear: deliver visible welfare, maintain tight organizational discipline, and ensure that internal dissent never spills into the open. The contrast with the Opposition could not be sharper.
Kejriwal’s visit, by contrast, seemed misdirected. Instead of taking on the BJP government or cornering it over issues like unemployment, crumbling infrastructure, or the drug menace, he spent much of his time attacking the Congress — calling it “finished” and “unreliable.”
While his criticism is not entirely misplaced, the timing and target were politically puzzling. In Goa’s fragmented political landscape, where neither AAP nor the Congress has managed to build a consistent base, the absence of cooperation between the two plays directly into the BJP’s hands. The Congress remains hesitant, leaderless, and unable to recover from defections that hollowed it out. AAP, on the other hand, continues to function as a fringe force — more visible in press conferences than in constituencies.
By taking on the Congress instead of the ruling BJP, Kejriwal may have secured headlines but weakened the only potential Opposition bloc capable of consolidating anti-BJP votes. In doing so, he inadvertently reinforced the BJP’s comfort zone.
The lack of an Opposition alliance means Goa is heading toward a predictable political pattern: BJP in command, fragmented challengers on the sidelines. The Congress’s local leadership has lost credibility after repeated defections, while AAP’s presence remains limited to a handful of constituencies and a few municipal pockets.
The BJP, meanwhile, benefits from a stable leadership under Pramod Sawant and unwavering support from the central leadership. The party’s ability to convert welfare schemes into electoral capital continues to be unmatched in Goa’s political space. Even when faced with criticism over road conditions, unemployment, and corruption, the BJP appears unthreatened.
Unless a credible coalition emerges, Goa’s political contest in the next election will likely be one-sided.
The BJP’s strength lies not only in its organisation but also in the perception that it is the only party capable of governing without internal chaos. In this context, Shah’s “Mhaje Ghar” distribution ceremony was not just a welfare event — it was a political statement. It underscored the BJP’s ability to deliver while projecting stability and control. Kejriwal’s verbal demolition of the Congress, on the other hand, highlighted the absence of a united Opposition narrative.
The message to Goans is clear: while the BJP continues to build and expand its political base, the Opposition remains busy breaking its own house. If this continues, the next election in Goa may not be about who wins, but by how much the BJP does.
