Girish Chodankar, the head of the Goa Congress, acknowledged that his organization had a “confidence deficit.” “Due to defections in its legislative body over the last several years, among voters in the coastal state that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) now controls.
Defections are a “bigger disease,” according to Chodankar, the former head of the state Congress organization until the party’s disastrous showing in the Assembly elections last year, in an interview with PTI “Additionally, such events were occurring in other regions of the nation, so the grand old party in Goa was not the only victim.
The BJP performed better in the Goa Assembly elections in February 2022, taking home 20 seats, compared to 13 seats in the 40-member Legislature in 2017. In contrast to the 17 seats it had won in the previous election, the Congress only managed to win 11 last year. Eight of the 11 Congress MLAs switched to the governing BJP in September of last year, some months after the election results. Up to 10 Congress lawmakers united their dissident faction with the saffron party in 2019.
Before the Assembly elections last year, Congress forced all 37 of its candidates to swear allegiance to the party by escorting them to different houses of worship. Yet, the party was unable to halt the defectors.
Chodankar discussed the problems facing the Congress in the small state when arguing in court for the disqualification of these eight MLAs, including former Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat.
“Goan voters do not trust Congress very much. Gaining back voters’ faith and rebuilding the party would be very difficult for the party “said he.
“Defections are a more serious illness, and the Congress is not the only sufferer. This is taking on across the nation, not just in Goa. The BJP is in dire need of power and doesn’t want the opposition to have any footholds anywhere in the nation. To eliminate the opposition, they are employing resources like money, power, and authority “He said.
Chodankar, who had quit as the state Congress leader after the party’s dismal showing in the last election, said that the BJP was the Congress’ greatest danger.
“Congress is present across India. The opposition is to be destroyed, hence the aim is to eliminate the Congress. Defectors are given jobs and money. After they change sides, they lose respect in society and turn to God in repentance. The majority of MLAs that deserted in 2019 or earlier were defeated, “He said.
Chodankar expressed his amazement and dismay at the eight freshly elected MLAs’ preyivity to the influence of money.
“Under the guise of growth, they have betrayed even God and undermined public trust “He attacked.
Last year, freshly elected MLAs took an oath, signed affidavits vowing to remain in office, and visited religious sites (to take oath of loyalty). They lack the fear of God, nevertheless. They have deceived god and manipulated people’s emotions. He said, “God is ultimate for the faithful.”
“There is a trust gap, and the Congress party is the sufferer. We are both the accusers and the victims. Voters attack us and demand that our elected officials leave after winning. Why ought people to believe us. The query is… Would we let the BJP to carry out its objective, which is to incite resentment among those who disagree with them. Their fans are pleased with the way their philosophy is developing “said he.
Chodankar bemoaned the ideology’s appeal to those seeking wealth and power.
When questioned why the Congress could not take advantage of the state government’s anti-incumbency and install new leaders, he said that the party had fresh and youthful candidates.
The fact that theyalso abandoned is awful “said him.
He acknowledged that the BJP had sent many parties to Goa in order to divide Congress support, making it impossible for his party to combat the anti-incumbency.
The whole state Congress leadership has been seized by the BJP. Pratapsinh Rane, our senior leader, was under pressure from them to withdraw. Yet, despite the difficulties, our vote share remained constant at 25%, down from last time’s 28% “added he.
He said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Trinamool Congress (TMC), and the Revolutionary Goans gained 1.5 lakh votes that the Congress typically received.
He said that the Revolutionary Goans stole 60,000–70,000 votes from the revered old party.
“We were unable to persuade people to support those who divided votes. With less than 2,000 votes, we lost 10 seats. Pramod Sawant, the chief minister, won by 300 votes “claimed he.
Chodankar responded to a question on the Congress’ future by saying that the party can only survive by keeping its members and supporters.
“Retain your former power. Encourage non-party members to participate in the party’s activities. Due to defections, voters and party members are quite angry with us, including myself as I was the leader of the state unit. We must develop new leadership with ideological ties “added said.
By actively criticizing the BJP administration, the party must establish itself as the voice of the people and elect politicians who can be trusted.
“Three Congress MLAs have resisted the push to quit. They have a positive public perception, “added he.