We can fairly divide Goa’s politics into two – one before the recent election counting and another after it. And both are in stark contradiction to each other. Political uncertainties are not new for Goa, but the kind of equations that were worked out after the counting took place on March 11 were unexpected and historic.

No one in their wildest imagination would have conceived that Manohar Parrikar and Vijai Sardesai would come together to form the government. The presence of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party in the government is understandable. They have been the usual players, who are always with the people in power, their excuse of being with them differs.

It was hard to digest for many, including hardcore Fatordekars and Madgaonkars, that Vijai would go with Parrikar. The memories of Parrikar calling Vijai a dalal and the BJP raising very personal issues about Vijai, like his cutting of coconut trees to make way for his bungalow at Fatorda were fresh in the mind.

In some areas, the banners of Vijai’s yatra against the then Laxmikant Parsekar-led government’s decision to amend the Tree Act are still hanging around. Many people were mesmerized by Vijai’s slogan of ‘Goenkarponn.’

Then this happened. On the night of March 12, at a starred resort, I too was personally witness to something unexpected. Vijai walked out with Parrikar, flanked by Rohan Khaunte and Sudin Dhavalikar, from the hotel to head for Raj Bhavan, where he staked a claim to form the government.

It has now been disclosed that the entire process of cobbling together the alliance of differently minded individuals had begun on the earlier night, led by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. But for most people it appeared as though the alliance had been formed within a couple of hours.

Until 5 pm that day, the Goa Forward Party President Prabhakar Timble was telling the media that the party was yet to decide and that  nothing would happen that day. But the events that unfolded were swift and unimaginable. The rest is now history, with Parrikar being sworn in as the Chief Minister.

In the discussion that followed after formation of the government, Vijai had to do a lot of explanation to his supporters over his move. He held a meeting at his residence in Fatorda where he apologized to the people for not informing them, but stood by his decision claiming that “Congress has ditched me twice and I can’t trust them anymore.”

Then the stories of how Vijai spoke to Rahul Gandhi and how he had put a condition that Digambar Kamat should be made Chief Minister also started popping out from the Congress camp. And we all know of how Vishwajit Rane quit the party and Digvijaya Singh had to face a lot of flak.

Back to Vijai. His decision was highly criticized by many who were with him in his fight against the BJP. Social media became an easy medium for them to vent their anger against their leader. And people wrote all kinds of things. Open letters became the order of the day. Criticism for Vijai’s decision came from across Goa. The people were upset. They felt he cheated them. There were a few who said “this was not expected from Vijai.”

It is true that Vijai through his speeches and conduct on the floor of the House had become a pan-Goan figure. People had high expectations of him. But the simple question that people need to answer is – Why do they expect Vijai to only sit in the opposition or go with the Congress to form the government?

It is undoubtedly a good sign that people consider him as a leader. But if that is the case then those same people should have asked Vijai before the election to field candidates in all the 40 constituencies and got them elected so that he could form the government with a majority.

But that did not happen. People had their own choices when it came to the election. Their party affiliations were different during polls, but when it comes to being anti-BJP they expect Vijai to play that role.

This editorial does not intend to support what Vijai did, nor does it want to condemn his move, as the Goa Forward Party is not a government subsidiary that should do what we want. The party and its workers will decide what is best for them.

But what is best for Goa right now is a stable government. We don’t want toppling games to be enacted any time during this tenure. Let Manohar Parrikar lead the flock and let Vijai, Rohan, Sudin and other independents be part of his team, which will give some direction to Goa.

Interestingly, those people who are upset about Vijai and Parrikar coming together have not uttered any word about their inability to govern the State. There is no doubt that Parrikar, as an able administrator, stands as a hope for the State in such circumstances.

It is also but natural that the BJP-led central government will be inclined to fund the State better if they have their own party government here, although it is certainly bad practice to only support the state where their party government is in power.

If we look at the projects that were introduced during the BJP government, it requires a state government with a proper vision to complete them. Any kind of hindrance will not go down well for the State, which is getting ready for a major infrastructure makeover that  includes the Mandovi-Zuari bridges and highways.

So for the time being it would be ideal for a true Goan to keep aside the politicking and be very practical for the sake of Goa. I do agree that many Vijai fans have reason to be upset, but if we look at the bigger picture, we cant be oblivious to the fact that the State needs to go forward.

What is best for the state is to be less political and more practical. Let us examine every decision that the Parrikar-led government takes. If they take a wrong decision don’t spare them, but we can’t presume things and start accusing them merely because our political egos are hurt.