Goemkarponn Editor Suraj Nandrekar speaks to Art & Culture Minister Govind Gaude on the current political rift between the alliance partners BJP and the MGP. Gaude says the central party leaders do not know the ground reality and also question the need for an alliance with the MGP.
Excerpts:
Goemkarponn: In the last few days we have seen temperatures soar, not only in the weather but also in Goa’s political arena with indications of cracks within the ruling alliance partners – BJP and MGP. What is the crux of the whole issue?
Govind Gaude: I think whatever the Chief Minister of Goa has said is considering the ground reality and present circumstances at least I feel that. When we talk of alliance or coalition, the coalition dharma has to be followed in letter and spirit by the partners. Despite this, there seem to be attempts to pull another partner down and that may be the reason why CM made such a statement. Otherwise, he would not make such a statement.
Secondly, the karyakartas of the party are its real strength and if the karyakarta keeps complaining of a particular party every day then as a Chief Minister he has the responsibility to look into it.
Goemakrponn: Was this the only reason?
Govind Gaude: Since I have been at the party for the last three years many others have joined me and the party. I have seen attempts to interfere in the constituency and this has been conveyed to the CM by the workers. CM understands that if the karyakartas are demoralised then the party cannot progress. BJP is not a party like MGP.
It is the biggest political party today, in Goa and also it has a presence in every constituency.
On the other hand, MGP is limited to just one or two persons and not beyond that and they do not have existence beyond one or two constituencies.
If they want to play politics in the alliance partners’ constituency, then they should move out of government and do whatever they like.
This is the reason why CM has made a statement, it is CM who has to reply on all these issues and I am happy he has stood for the right.
Goemkarponn: Don’t you think the Chief Minister kicked up the controversy by making a statement on Mandrem’s seat first, which belongs to MGP?
Govind Gaude: See, I cannot speak on the Mandrem Constituency, whatever is there in my constituency I can speak. On that issue, I can only say, that whenever there are BJP party melavas issues are being raised before the CM and party president, based on that CM may have made that statement.
On Priol, I can say, we will not tolerate interference in the constituency by any alliance partners.
Goemkarponn: You made a statement the BJP does not need an alliance to win the Ponda taluka seats that is – Priol, Ponda, Madkai and Shiroda but the BJP has not won Madkai for five terms. Your say?
Govind Gaude: Well, this question has been posed before me several times and I have said this to BJP leaders also. Even in 2012, I had discussions with BJP leaders and told them the same. I was asked by BJP top leaders whether I am ready to take responsibility for Ponda taluka. I said yes.
There have been by-elections in the taluka and we have won that comfortably and proved ourselves. Based on the strength of the party karyakartas I have made this bold statement.
If you remember I have fought elections from the Madkai constituency and I have sizeable supporters but I have never interfered in that constituency following alliance dharma. I had even told the late Manoharbhai that I would support the BJP but there should not be any interference in my constituency.
Goemkarponn: MGP says the alliance is at the Central level. Your opinion.
Govind Gaude: Let the MGP leaders tell us which BJP leaders approached them for an alliance. Karyakartas must also know about that. I am not against any party or any leader, I am taking the issues of my karyakartas, who are my strength. We have supported the BJP without any expectations and hence we must know who invited MGP for alliance. The central leaders may not know the ground reality.
Goemkarponn: Did you Oppose the alliance in 2022?
Govind Gaude: See Party’s central leaders many times do not know what the ground reality is. The Chief Minister is the person who has to listen to the complaints of the karyakartas. My question is why there was no pre-poll alliance. Also, this alliance was without any need, we had 20 MLAs and the support of three independents. Let any BJP MLA or worker say there was a need for an alliance.
Goemkarponn: So your complaint about MGP is only interference in your constituency?
Govind Gaude: See today’s MGP is only about power you may have seen that from 2000, whoever is in power they are with them. Earlier also BJP extended an Olive branch to them which they ditched when they joined Congress, then they left Congress and joined the BJP. I will not talk of anyone else, I will speak to only my constituency.
My issue is if they are in alliance they have to follow the dharma at least till they are part of the government and take a decision when elections come.
I am happy this issue has cropped up well before the elections otherwise they would have definitely ditched the BJP again.
Goemkarponn: Talking about the 2027 elections, don’t you think the “Anti-Incumbancy” factor would come into play again?
Govind Gaude: The same thing was said during the 2022 elections. The Exit Polls had ruled the BJP out with 12-13 seats. I would only say that the one who works with honesty and commitment is not worried about the outcomes or what his opponents say. Every MLA of teh BJP is working today and looking at our work, 8 MLAs of Congress joined us and even in 2019 10 MLAs joined. Where is the anti-incumbency?
Goemkarponn: Don’t you think the rise in protests and the agitations could affect the party’s prospects?
Govind Gaude: Not at all. I have become an MLA from activism. Anti-incumbency is a word manufactured by the opposition, who have no issues to take up. Protests happening are all political. If there is something wrong the people will make the MLA’s seat home. But BJP as a party I feel will have no impact.
(Watch the full interview othe n goemkarponn YouTube channel)
