TNV Spoke to Girish Chodankar, the General Secretary of the GPCC, to know his view on the series of political events in the state post poll results.
- What went wrong between Congress and Goa Forward?
Everyone in the Congress wanted this alliance to happen. This is because the ideologies of both the parties were identical. Though we were 17 and including Rohan we were 18, we waited for the Goa Forward MLAs. This is just because, there was a strong view within the party to make an alliance with them. The whole 11th night we were with the Goa Forward members. We should have gone that night itself to the Governor without waiting for Goa Forward. Extra love for Goa Forward made us wait!
On 11th night, Digambar Kamat along with AICC leaders Digvijaya Singh and Venugopal Rao met Vijai Sardesai at his residence where they agreed to Vijai’s terms for supporting the Congress party (so long as Luizinho Faleiro is not the CM). Digvijai also made Rahul Gandhi speak with Vijai Sardesai so that the later is satisfied that his demands will be met. On 12th March, the CLP met at Congress House where they selected a CLP leader which would be acceptable to Vijai Sardesai. At 2.30, Goa Forward mentors, Dr Francisco Colaco, Datta Naik, Cleofat Coutinho and Shridhar Kamat met the Congress delegation to finalise the agreement. However information was received that Vijai had already finalized alliance with the BJP and that they are on their way to Raj Bhavan.
BJP released Letter of support from Goa Forward Party which stated that they would support BJP provided Manohar Parrikar will be the Chief Minister. Goa Forward which claimed they wanted to support the Congress never gave any such letter to the Congress. This shows that they never had any intention of aligning with the Congress.
- Did Vijai Sardesai ditch you? Or Congress was complacent?
We cannot say Vijai ditched us. Because we never had a pre-poll alliance with the GF. He has ditched the people of Goa by going against the mandate. And the congress was not complacent at all. As the single largest party we should have got the first opportunity to form the government. We were denied the opportunity by the Raj Bhavan. BJP with the help of Central government and the Governor manipulated the verdict. When the election results of Goa and other states like UP were held at the same time, what was the hurry to form the government in Goa? When they have taken their time in other states, why a different yardstick is applied to Goa?
- Do you think a pre-poll alliance with Goa Forward would have been a better decision?
In politics 1 plus 1 cannot be 2, it can be 3 or even zero at times. A pre-poll alliance with Goa Forward could have been a wrong step too. We would have lost a seat like Velim. It would have just reduced the number of MLAs that we have now. And talking of pre-poll alliance we had it with Rohan Khaunte and had backed him. Where is he now? The same thing would have happened.
- What is your say on the Supreme Court’s verdict?
The Supreme Court has not cleared the alliance. It has just ordered a Floor test. SC might have overlooked the recommendations of Sarkaria Commission. It was the fault of the Raj Bhavan. What was the hurry? Was there any constitutional crises? The Governor was under pressure. When I met her she was avoiding eye contact and I could see the guilt in her eyes. She may resign too. I feel she is fighting with her own conscience.
- Do you feel that this decision of Vijai Sardesai is an outcome of some political events that happened before elections between Congress and Goa Forward?
Looks like Vijai was in touch with Manohar Parrikar before elections. And the other poor Goa Forward party members were kept in dark. They were not consulted. They were sitting with Digvijay Singh, and Vijai was busy with Gadkari while this was happening. Why do you think Prabhakar Timble resigned? He has resigned because his own party did not listen to him. I would say Vijai has used good innocent people for his benefits.
- What is your next plan of action?
We will not keep quiet until the verdict of the people is respected. Goans wanted a Non BJP Government. They made sure that 8 ministers of the last government including the CM should not win. People have reposed faith in us and it is our duty to give them a government as per their mandate. This is manipulated by the BJP. BJP was defeated badly even after Parrikar was projected as the CM by Amit Shah in his rallies. They had no moral right to form the government.
