Manohar Parrikar Steps In

Manohar Parrikar steps in to counter an upbeat rival from within the Sangh Parivar’s ranks.

- Kiran D.Tare

Just months away from elections in Goa, the BJP is experiencing performance anxiety and banking on defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s popularity to beat back a surging rival and keep power in the state. A campaign has been kicked off, but worries remain about a backlash from voters against the government continuing with grants to English-medium schools.

The BJP’s tasks are cut out: highlight the government’s development work in the state and—wary of losing traditional supporters—review the performance of its legislators. On October 9, a day before the party felicitated him in front of a 4,000-strong gathering in Porvorim for successfully conducting surgical strikes against terrorists across the Pakistan border, Parrikar conveyed he was upset with the BJP’s survey report on its position ahead of the elections. The report says the BJP would need to put in hard work in several seats. Nine of the 21 seats it won in the previous election look unfavourable this time.

The survey says several legislators and ministers lost touch with the people. The jitters could well be felt now, particularly in the BJP’s north Goa stronghold. The party might struggle in Mandre, Pernem, Mapusa, Mayem, Sakhalin and Sanguem, all high-profile constituencies. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar represents Mandre, his deputy Francis D’Souza, Mapusa. Education minister Rajendra Arlekar holds the Pernem seat and assembly speaker Anant Shet belongs to Mayem.