Q. If I am not wrong, you’re the youngest CLP leader or Leader of opposition, the Congress party has seen. Is it going to be easier for you, considering that party has got four ex-CM legislators working under you?
First, I would like to thank all my 16 MLAs for showing faith in me and electing me as their leader. Our party Vice President Rahul Gandhi has always been speaking about promoting young leaders to lead the party and my selection as CLP leader is one such step, I would say.
Having four such senior leaders, who have headed the State in the past, is a great honour for me to work with. They are not going to work under me, but we all are going to work together. Their political experience, especially of Pratapsingh Rane, is equal to my age and hence, his guidance is must for me to lead the party forward.
Q. Considering the fact that just before the February Assembly polls, party faced jolt in form of two of its legislators quitting and joining BJP and lot of talks about internal rifts, it still managed to emerge as single largest party. Was it because of anti-BJP waves?
Let us not consider resignation of Mauvin Godinho and Pandurang Madkaikar as jolt to the party. As you all know, Godinho was never with Congress and Madkaikar’s switch over was predicted much in advance by us and we were prepared for that. Yes, if they were in Congress, we would have won two more seats, taking over tally to 19 (including Vishwajit).
But I would say that their move to go to BJP helped Congress in big way, as people finally realised what BJP is. After accusing both Mauvin and Madkaikar of being scamsters, BJP not only inducted them into party but also gave them ticket and now Ministerial berth. This move, itself went against BJP.
Yes, just before the election there was a strong anti-BJP wave and people saw how Congress was making attempts to change itself and ensure it does not repeat its mistakes. Our party workers, worked day and night to ensure our win. It was their hard work and anti BJP wave that gave us 17 seats.
Q. But despite people’s mandate, you failed to form the government. Rather than blaming BJP of ‘robbing people’s mandate’, why does Congress not accept that it was their failure?
No, it was not Congress failure. As we told you, we had support from one independent and three Goa Forward MLAs. But then, Manohar Parrikar, who was waiting for an opportunity to come back to Goa, began ‘shopping of MLAs’. They struck deals, made compromises and ensured that they formed government in coalition with GFP, MGP and independents.
Even today I would say that BJP robbed the people’s mandate, which was given to us. The Governor (Goa) also helped BJP to form the government. She (Mridula Sinha) never invited us to form the government, despite us informing her that we have the majority.
Q. But then you failed to prove the majority on the Floor of the House. Your own MLA Vishwajit Rane, restrained himself from voting. How you justify that?
Initially, I was shocked with what happened on the Floor of the House, I could not understand what went wrong. Rane had even signed the whip. Yes, he expressed his happiness, after BJP submitted letter to form government. We all assumed we were united, but we were not.
But now when I introspect, I feel whatever happens, it happens for good. Rane left the party and I feel it was good decision for the party. I don’t see any implications on party. We 16 are united and will continue our fight for government formation.
Q. Can you elaborate ‘whatever happens, happens for good?’
In our earlier tenure as well as now, several MLAs had raised doubts on Rane and his closeness with BJP. But we ignored. But now, circumstances are such, that their doubts are confirmed.
Our failure to form the government was only because our strategies were getting leaked to BJP. Every step that we took towards government formation was leaked. Vishwajit was their spy. We are happy that he left the party. But now it is threat to BJP, as there is every possibility that he will leak their strategies to us.
Q. So, it was Vishwajit, who indirectly made sure that Congress doesn’t form the government. This is what you mean to say?
Not indirectly, but directly. He played major role in BJP-led coalition government formation. That is the reason, why he is today in Manohar Parrikar cabinet holding such crucial portfolio like Health. It was a deal…you help us and then be part of it.
Q. But even today, there are strong rumors that more three MLAs of Congress are set to quit the party and join BJP. How far is this true?
You yourself said these are rumors. And these rumors are spread by BJP. We all are united and ready to work as constructive opposition.
In fact, there is resentment within BJP and soon one may see the rebellion. There are few MLAs including some senior who are not happy the way Parrikar is falling to pressure of the coalition partners. Parrikar has sidelined his own MLAs and has given all weightage to coalition partners and those imported from other parties. You may soon see some action within BJP this time.
Q. So, you foresee early Assembly elections in 2019?
That I can’t say now but BJP-led coalition government is not going to last long. It is not stable. Cracks would be developed soon. Ego of some leaders will play crucial role in dividing the government.
Q. Your reaction to the recent reshuffle, wherein Digvijay Singh is removed and replaced by AICC Secretary Dr Chella Kumar as Goa desk in-charge. Is this because of fiasco that Singh created over government formation?
I would not like to comment on that. But I think Digvijayji left no stone unturned to ensure that party gets majority and forms next government. The current reshuffle is a routine exercise I suppose.
Q. So now the party is gearing up for by-polls in Panjim and Valpoi?
Yes, we are getting ready for by-polls. We have a strong base in Valpoi
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