The real drama will begin. Babush Monserratte has already shown inclinations to contest again from Panaji constituency. He is in talks with the Congress. If Babush contests on Congress ticket, then the script which BJP has penned might go haywire.
It was not much unexpected when Siddharth Kuncolienkar walked into the chamber of Speaker Pramod Sawant and placed his resignation before him. The BJP legislator was seemingly not so convinced about his move which he meticulously managed to hide behind the tag of “being loyal worker.” But the body language indicated that Siddharth wanted to rule for longer.
When Manohar Parrikar took over as the Chief Minister of the State, it was understood that the State would be forced into by-election. Majority of the people expected it to be in Panaji as politically this seat is more comfortable for him.
Siddharth was inheriting the seat of Parrikar. The MLA-ship came as luck for him when he was working as under secretary to the Chief Minister. Parrikar was elevated to the post of Union Defence Minister, and Siddharth became Panaji MLA.
It was very difficult for Siddharth to fit into the shoes of Parrikar. Immediately, there were parallels drawn between his functioning and that of his mentor. Naturally, Siddharth’s working style was not matching to that of Parrikar, though he managed to carve a niche for himself during the tenure.
The real challenge came during the 2017 election when Babush Monserratte made Panaji seat as his prestige issue. While Goa saw BJP going down on its popularity during 2017 election, Siddharth managed to save Panaji seat against Monserratte. The winning margin had reduced but it was important that he won and Monserratte lost.
The happenings that were witnessed by the people after March 11 result saw Parrikar emerging as a major figure. His return to Goa after resigning as Defence Minister and alliance partners like Goa Forward Party insisting to get led by him made it ample clear that Parrikar will have to get elected within six months.
BJP had a tough task ahead. First, the party was struggling to recover from the humiliating defeat in the elections and then the leaders had their confidence depreciating after the polls.
This is history and what we expected happened. Everything looked like perfectly scripted political moves. Right from the time, Nitin Gadkari announcing that Goa may be headed by a leader from Delhi to Siddharth putting down his papers, the script was ready.
The only twist in it was BJP’s humiliating defeat and sudden revelation by BJP that Parrikar might contest from Curchorem. There is another addition that happened for the script, that is, Vishwajit Rane resigning.
After all, BJP which expected to win the elections also had their plan B ready in case of defeat. And the script for plan B worked. When Siddharth resigned, it is the intermission period.
Now the real drama will begin. Babush Monserratte has already shown inclinations to contest again from Panaji constituency. He is in talks with the Congress. If Babush contests on Congress ticket, then the script which BJP has penned might go haywire.
Since the time Parrikar has contested last assembly election in 2012, lots of things have changed here. The reduced margin of Siddharth and increasing interest of Monserratte in Panaji is something that should worry BJP. Also, the overall situation in the state is not favorable for BJP, at least, after what we saw during the recently held polls.
BJP will depend on their alliance partners – Goa Forward Party and MGP – during Panaji by-poll. MGP had joined hands with Goa Suraksha Manch during recently held election in Panaji constituency. What role GSM plays in this election is also important.
Also what is important is whether Subhash Velingkar still feels Parrikar should be defeated and will put his entire soul in fighting Panaji by-election. Will Raju Sukerkar still remain away from politics?
There is another factor. GFP leader Vijai Sardesai is close to Monserratte, but is duty bound to support Parrikar. Will he go by his alliance dharma or long time friendship with Monserratte. Moreover, whether Vijai will work full time for Parrikar.
All these questions will decide the fate of upcoming Panaji by-election. It might sound little anti-Parrikar, but the Chief Minister certainly cannot think that he has a cake walk in Panaji constituency this time.
Team TNV
