Looks to be a win-win, but CCP is actually a lose-lose election for all
SANDESH PRABHUDESAI, PANAJI | 08 March 2016 15:32 IST
It was expected, still unexpected for Babush Monseratte while a sigh of relief for the Bharatiya Janata Party even after losing the most prestigious election of City Corporation of Panaji (CCP).
The Babush panel reached a tally of 17, only two extra in the 30-ward CCP, due the repeated victories of Surendra and Ruth Furtado, who had aligned with the St Cruz MLA’s panel.
The BJP panel won 13 seats this time, one extra than the 2011 election, but could not snatch the throne in spite of being in power in the state for the last four years.
This is the second time Babush said he would win 27 seats, but in fact got less than the 2011 CCP election.
He had won 16 seats last time but without having Surendra and his wife Ruth Furtado on his panel.
His 17 seats this time includes both the Furtados, which means the St Cruz MLA’s panel actually won 15 seats, one less than the last time.
The Furtados had aligned with the Babush panel this time.
“You cannot analyse it in this manner. This time they are on my panel, last time my candidates had fought them”, Babush said while justifying scoring more this time.
The Taleigao strongman also blames the Congress for spoiling his chances in many wards, by playing as the B Team of the ruling BJP.
But in reality, the Congress could not manage to get candidates to field due to which its panel contested only 20 seats out of 30.
And Babush panel lost election in at least six such wards, including two in Taleigao Assembly constituency, where there was no Congress candidate in the fray.
Perhaps this is the reason Babush has changed his language regarding his plan to contest Assembly election from Panaji.
While goanews.com was to break the story of Babush deciding to contest from Panaji in 2017, today he said: “the option is still open”.
Rather than entering the state capital and bastion of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Babush may have to concentrate more on Taleigao Assembly seat, presently held by his wife Jennifer.
The reason is simple. Unlike 2011 where he won all the 9 wards falling in Taleigao constituency, he has lost two wards to the BJP, that too in a straight fight.
Dattaprasad Naik, who has been crossing swords with Babush in the Assembly from Taleigao, was happy that the BJP could make inroads in Babush’s bastion by winning two seats.
But, besides 9 wards of CCP, the main strength of Monserattes is Taleigao panchayat, where they literally swept panchayat polls in April 2014 by winning 10 out of 11 seats and also winning the lone ZP seat in March last year.
In Panaji constituency, the only sigh of relief for BJP MLA Siddharth Kuncalienker is that Babush now may not enter Parrikar’s fort to contest as he could win only 10 seats against his target of 18.
The BJP has not only retained its number but has added one more to its tally in Panaji constituency by winning 11 seats.
But the 50-50 scenario in the state capital is actually a warning bell to the ruling party since it was expected to sweep the CCP poll with their party man was in power when the city went for civic poll while the party is also ruling the state for the last four years.
In spite of this, the saffron brigade could win only 11 out of 21 seats in Panaji.
The third and the biggest sufferer in the CCP election is the Congress, which initially could not find candidates to contest and then the voters to vote for.
Hardly in four wards out of 20 it contested, the Congress candidate could garner over 100 votes while their candidates went below 60 mark in almost six wards.
If this is judged as an indication of the ‘love for Congress’ Goans now left with for the national party, then the future of the one-time rulers need not be predicted by any psephologist.
Notwithstanding brave face and staunch defense the reality for BJP is that it has lost despite having state and central govt on their side.Forget about nitty gritty of defeat they have lost the municipality of the capital city of Goa whose mla was once upon a time Manohar Parrikar,Goa's tallest leader and present Defense Minister.Reason for defeat is pretty clear.Many among the voters who voted for BJP in 2012 elections haven't voted it this time.BJP should introspect on this.