But this was the story of 2012; now come 2022, with the BJP’s popularity at an all-time low, Dr Pramod Sawant has decided to take a cue from Parrikar’s yatra in 2012, and the CM and the BJP State chief have embarked on their tours to woo the voters. However, they failed to understand that Neither Sawant is Parrikar nor Tanawade is Advani.
The two leaders have met the people, but they are mostly BJP karyakartas. Hence we can say, “yes, they have met people, but there is no connection” It is just for photo ops. Advani and Parrikar had their own style and knew how to convince people, which the two lack.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
In a bid to improve the chances of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the forthcoming elections, the two top leaders Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and BJP State president Sadanand Shet Tanawade have started Jan Chetna Yatra – to meet people in each constituency.
The idea of Jan Sampark Abhiyan was first initiated by former Home Minister of India Lal Krishna Advani in 2011, and he garnered tremendous support for his party throughout the country.
Of course, for a leader of Advani’s calibre, the results were expected despite the Congress-led UPA government being in power at that time in Centre.
The same year in December 2012, Goa’s former chief minister Manohar Parrikar followed Advani’s footsteps and started his own Jan Chetna yatra that was a huge success and helped BJP win the 2021 elections with a majority.
During the yatra, Parrikar got in touch in minority communities and stayed in their homes, which got wide publicity throughout India. Parrikar succeeded in gaining people’s trust and sympathy through those yatras.
The result was BJP came back to power in 2012.
But this was the story of 2012; now come 2022, with the BJP’s popularity at an all-time low, Dr Pramod Sawant has decided to take a cue out of Parrikar’s yatra in 2012, and the CM and the BJP State chief have embarked on their tours to woo the voters.
However, they failed to understand that Neither Sawant is Parrikar nor Tanawade is Advani.
The two leaders have met the people, but they are mostly BJP karyakartas. Hence we can say, “yes, they have met people, but there is no connection” It is just for photo ops. Advani and Parrikar had their own style and knew how to convince people, which the two lack.
It is being reported on social media that the crowd seen at all the rallies and yatras in various constituencies are all paid for – Rs 500 for two-wheeler and Rs 1000 or four-wheeler.
While we cannot authenticate the rumours, we have realised that the two leaders have failed to live up to people’s expectations, and even though the presence seems reasonable, it isn’t great for the rallies.
However, in the bargain, the chief minister and Tanawade have failed to realise is that the COVID19 pandemic is still not over.
Goa continues to record high cases, 136 to be exact as of Tuesday bulletin.
Looking at the rallies, one realises there is no social distancing, no masks. Even Sawant and Tanawade have been clicked without masks.
When the leaders themselves are not following SOPs, how can we expect the common man to do so? Shouldn’t Tanawade and Sawant be penalised?
Again if the cases rise as exerts say the third wave is imminent, Sawant would be the first one to raise his hands and blame the people saying they did not follow the SOPs.