But challenges before the new GPCC chief are huge
F rom an ordinary booth level worker of the Congresss party in 1989 to his elevation as the new president of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, AICC secretary Girish Chodankar’s journey has been fraught with grit, determination and aggression. The road hereon is going to be tougher with huge challenges ahead.
While there is a constant tussle within the party over the old and the new faces, Girish walks in carrying high hopes of the High Command of building bridges and providing that healing touch the party so desperately needs. The priorities are now well-defined. That the party has chosen him over another hot contender Digambar Kamat is testimony to the fact that the Congress High Command has preferred party rebuilding over immediate government formation.
However, what would make Girish’s job difficult is the fact that he doesn’t have a deep-rooted connect with any of the MLAs from the Congress or for that matter any of the ministers outside the Party. In such a scenario getting full-fledged support from his own senior colleagues, including the Congress Legislature Wing would be doubtful.
The next big challenge would be to work out a rapprochement with a section of Congressmen who are known followers of TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai. It is this section that was nursing a hope that Vijai would return to back the party in the eventuality of a government collapse. Getting them on board and breaking their allegiances will again be a tough task.
And lastly, with power comes great responsibility and to back it up financial power becomes crucial. Girish has his humble roots as a Grade-1 teacher with no business links. Raising big money to back his plans of party rebuilding will be another big hurdle.
A major plus for Girish however would be his connect with the grassroots at the constituency level and his entire energies will be focused on rebuilding the party from here. Many of his predecessors have failed on this count despite huge promises for the very fact that none of them moved deep inside constituencies to build up party cadre. Another advantage for Girish is his candidature will see a lot of traction from the Bahujans, since he hails from that community. This will strategically help the Congress since sizeable Bahujans have moved away from the BJP as was visible during the Parrikar-Girish contest for the Panaji bypoll.
With a thumbs-up from Rahul Gandhi, Girish will look to use his connect with the High Command for better party coordination and settling of internal issues. All in all, Congress’ move to go with a new face with the sole objective of rebuilding the party is a step in the right direction.
