Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
Today’s development of Eight Congress MLAs splitting and joining the BJP came as a surprise to many. The BJP already has 20 seats in the House, plus there is the support of two MGP MLAs, and additional three independent MLAs have extended their support. The total strength in the House is 25.
However, with the eight MLAs’ induction, BJP now has a Brute Majority of 33 in the House.
Was this needed? Yes, for BJP, it was needed as in 2024, every single Lok Sabha seat is important, and they do not want to take any chances.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Ediotr, Goemkarponn
From being an Accidental CM in 2019 to an established politician – Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has covered a long journey in the last three years.
Right from day one, he has not hesitated in taking a hard decision, which he says is in the interest of the party.
His first strong decision came within months of becoming CM; he sacked two deputy chief ministers and one Minister – Sudin Dhavalikar, Vijai Sardesai and Rohan Khaunte.
He did not stop at that; he consolidated his position soon, with 10 Congress MLAs quitting Congress to join BJP.
His tough decision seemed to have paid off as not only did he popularise the party, he continued to win elections.
Be it Zilla Parishad polls or the Municipal polls, Sawant showed the party high command; he is a leader who can be trusted and was rightly named the Chief Minister Candidate of the Party in 2022.
He did not let the party down and gave them 20 seats out of 40, a number, not many Goans would have thought in their wildest dreams. BJP was facing a huge anti-incumbency, but then some accurate strategy paid off and BJP drove home with 20 seats.
He did not stop at that; he continued to win elections for a party as BJP won maximum (150) panchayats in the just-concluded polls.
Today’s development of Eight Congress MLAs splitting and joining the BJP came as a surprise to many. The BJP already has 20 seats in the House, plus there is the support of two MGP MLAs, and additional three independent MLAs have extended their support. The total strength in the House is 25.
However, with the eight MLAs’ induction, BJP now has a Brute Majority of 33 in the House.
Was this needed? Yes, for BJP, it was needed as in 2024, every single Lok Sabha seat is important, and they do not want to take any chances.
The CM’s comment after the entry of MLAs says all.
“We will win both Lok Sabha seats in Goa in the 2024 elections; Narendra Modiji will once again become PM in 2024 for the 3rd time,” he said.
While Lok Sabha could be one reason, and Sawant has done remarkably well to consolidate his position in the party, he seems to be facing a threat from within the party.
Many in the party feel that Sawant is facing a threat from his bete noire Vishwajit Rane, who has eyes set on the CM’s chair.
Sources said that Vishwajit Rane is the only Minister in the Sawant Cabinet who seems to be uncontrolled by the Chief Minister.
“Rane is the CM of his own portfolios; he does not allow anyone’s interference, not even the CM,” say sources.
Sources reveal that the split in Congress was engineered by Sawant to cut Vishwajit Rane to size, and with this deft move, who knows, Rane might even be shown the door.
Comment