Vijai’s warning to pull down the government means nothing
What does Goa Forward President Vijai Sardesai’s subtle threat mean when he says that the party will withdraw support to the government if any decision goes against Goa and Goans? Vijai’s pure showmanship and flamboyance in his own backyard on the day of commemoration of Opinion Poll day was far from convincing.
The so called ‘warning’ to the government not only lacks punch but practically means nothing to the ruling dispensation. More so, when there are no genuine reasons attributed to such a blanket statement. The underlying fine-print tells a different story. The strong wave of resentment and backlash across Salcete against the Goa Forward ever since they joined hands with the BJP, post March 11, has failed to die down despite conscious moves. Vijai’s constant endeavour, for long, has been to win back the trust and confidence along with the people which have deserted him. With an uphill road ahead, and an ambition at hand, the GF president set out with a slew of initiatives in a bid to soothe the scars left behind. To name a few – waiving off infrastructure tax on small dwelling units, jumping the queue and opening a Fatorda police station, cracking down on illegal sale of orchard land, tightening land laws, accommodating his people in key positions including corporations and the recent political nostalgia where 38 stalwarts of the Opinion Poll were given recognition at the specially-created Opinion Poll Square in Margao.
However, all said and done, people continue to feel betrayed and continue to slam even the good-intentioned moves of Vijai. The coinage of Goenkarponn, which even the government included in its Common Minimum Programme, failed to break any ice. The angry young man in Vijai who took up every issue and fought from their midst overnight turned to be government’s emissary. Citizens found compromises on key issues that had Goenkarponn etched all over and playing to political compulsions was seen as the new order. To make matters worse, the Goa Forward has not had a cushy relationship with the key cadres of the BJP, given the fact that the party had given their vote of confidence to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and nobody else.
Against this backdrop, this warning to the government is seen as a move to placate those gunning for the establishment and nothing else. There will be no takers for such a statement since it is as vague as futurity and there are no genuine reasons at this point in time, nor real intentions. Neither is there a plan B in place in terms of an alternative. Goenkarponn has no parameters binding it and off late everyone seems to be chanting Goenkarponn without real reason or rhyme. Going ahead, the GF president will have to resort to some tough posturing on issues that affect Goans. Time will tell.
