BackGoa goes to poll, with plenty to choose from
With just 40 seats and an average constituency size of 27,000, the Goan voters have a lot to choose from
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As Goa, one of the smallest states in the Indian Union, goes to the polls on 4 February, the electorate faces an unprecedented dilemma because of the number of registered political parties and independent candidates in the fray. With just 40 seats and an average constituency size of 27,000, the voters have a lot to choose from. This, however, puts the contestants in a tight spot as margins are likely to be thinner and last-minute swings may play a crucial role in deciding the outcome. In such a situation, no political pundit would like to predict the outcome of the assembly elections. Despite that, the odd poll survey gives an edge to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Goa has had a not too distant history of unstable governments, fragmented coalitions and an array of chief ministerial claimants. The last decade is an exception to the state’s chequered political history. Unlike the instability after the grant of statehood in 1987, the last decade has seen stable governments at the helm with coalitions lasting their full terms. But this time, as if multi-cornered contests were not enough, the absence of a major electoral plank also pitches a host of competing ideologies and perspectives against each other.
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The ruling BJP, which is contesting 36 assembly seats and had started its campaign with a ‘Vijay Sankalp’ (pledge for victory), is seeking another term on the plank of the work it has done in building the state’s infrastructure, and a host of populist schemes. The party is facing a challenge from an unexpected quarter. Its former ally the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) has formed a grand alliance with Goa Suraksha Manch, a political outfit formed by erstwhile Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh-Goa patron Subhash Velingkar, and the Shiv Sena. The group is opposed to what it calls BJP’s “appeasement of minorities" by continuing grants to English medium primary schools.
Within the BJP, there has been a tussle of sorts with defence minister Manohar Parrikar personally monitoring the campaign and talk of a new chief minister coming from Delhi, leaving the other Goa BJP MP and Union minister for Ayush, Sripad Naik, not too amused. It also proved to be discomfiting for current chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar. Although some old constituents and traditional allies have abandoned the party, BJP leaders are still exuding confidence that the party will win a majority on its own.
The Congress party has been at odds with its former ally, the Nationalist Congress Party, which has decided to contest as many as 17 seats on its own. Besides, there have been the typical rumblings associated with the selection of candidates between the central leadership, the old guard and the young. The party, besides fielding its own candidates in 36 seats, has sought an ‘understanding’ on four seats with Goa Forward party, an upstart. Other small parties include the Goa Suraj Party (fielded candidates in 7 seats), Goa Vikas Party (6) and United Goans Party (2).
ALSO READ: EC issues notice to Manohar Parrikar over ‘take money, vote for BJP’ remark
It is only the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the new kid on the block, which is contesting all 40 seats, hoping to replicate its spectacular success in Delhi a couple of years earlier and seeking to build on the perceived failure of the BJP to provide corruption-free governance. It is also the only party to have declared a chief ministerial candidate, former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes.
Issues in the election include the divide between north and south Goa with its apparent religious connotations, the forthcoming Mopa airport in north Goa, and the medium of instruction controversy which seeks to polarize Catholic voters from the south.
The real fight is going to be at the grassroots level where the public mood and perceptions may swing overnight. Nevertheless, with the last phase of campaigning drawing to a close and most party stalwarts having made their presence felt, the Goa 2017 verdict promises to be a cliffhanger.
Rahul Tripathi teaches Political science at Goa University
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