from Lenny Barretto
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (MB)

Panaji, Jun 12: Finally the Goan electorate decided to give another innings to the Congress government in the state.

Through the fractured mandate, the electorate has decided that the Congress-led combine should go ahead with the formation of Goa government. The BJP, which had high hopes from this election could not fare up to its expectations.

The party has to admit that the Parrikar magic which was expected to do wonders for the party with promises of better living, inflation-free living etc could not flatter the Goans.

Except at a few places where BJP’s legislators wrestled with Congress or NCP stalwarts, the BJP did not fare well this time. The cases like Saligao constituency where NCP stalwart like Dr Wilfred D'Souza was defeated are an exception.

Though this was unexpected the BJP leaders should introspect as to why, despite making all the tall promises and fielding good-charactered candidates, it could not make its mark.

What is interesting to note is that seats like Sanvordem and Curchorem, which were considered non-Congress bastions, were also lost by the party. Why did the candidates like Vinay Tendulkar and Ramrao Desai, who ruled the area for more than five years, could not retain the confidence of people?

Incidentally, both the areas were worst affected during the communal riots in 2005.  The BJP has been painted communal by their rivals at the national level but in Goa, the party has managed to keep itself away from the taint.

BJP’s decision to give tickets to all its sitting legislators without assessing their performance appears to have gone against the party. Whether BJP may believe or not, the ability to win is factor that the party should consider while allotting the tickets. Taking emotion-based decisions do not work work.

Also, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party’s presence worked against BJP. Overall results indicate that there are at least eight constituencies where MGP’s presence spelled a bad omen for the BJP.

A thorough study on `why BJP lost’ needs to be done. It’s not just simply that the party despite giving best candidates could not be the first choice of the electorate.

It’s not true that all people in Goa are high class and having high income. Many of them really suffer when there is high inflation. People do curse governments for hiking petrol prices.

But despite all this, the promise of subsidized ration or subsidized travel, did not lured voters towards lotus.

So, what is it that has kept the voters away from BJP. Why don't people want Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister? Why do people want to continue with the usual Congress government which has been condemned for its unpopular steps….

Jawaharlal Nehru once said: 'Ajeeb hai yeh Goa ke log…'. Could we say those words still hold good, in whatever context he might have referred to in the first place?