ANALYSIS /// RAVI'S FLOORCROSSING: WHAT'S IDEOLOGY GOT TO DO WITH IT? May 10's resignation of Goa Deputy Chief Minister Ravi Naik from the BJP may have caused a loss to the ruling party. But at the same time, it cannot be dubbed as very good news for the Congress particularly in the long run, says this interesting analysis by Vijay de Souza of the Herald.
As of now, Ravi's exit from the BJP and the fact that he has treaded the path back to the Congress, is also advantageous to the latter party, because it can now boast to the electorate, that the BJP was a sinking ship. But this will be short term gain for the Congress. Politically speaking, in the long run, it will be a risky decision for the Congress, to re-admit Mr Naik into the party fold, keeping in mind the fact, that Ravi's presence will mean one more addition to the list of serious contenders for chief ministership, which will be decided in another three weeks from now. Congress already has an array of candidates for the top post. It has in its ranks, at least four former chief ministers namely Luizinho Faleiro, Pratapsing Rane, Francisco Sardinha and Churchill Alemao. Besides, there is party president Nirmala Sawant who is being 'groomed' for the coveted post as the sole lady candidate. To add to this list, IT savvy former union minister for law, Ramakant Khalap can also be in the fray for chief ministership. Sources say, that although local party leaders were divided over the re-admission of Ravi, he managed to get the clearance directly from the High Command. Ravi Naik was the chief minister from 1991 to 1993, before he was disqualified by the High Court. It was in similar fashion, that Ravi was brought into the limelight by some highly ambitious and self-righteous Congress leaders in 1991. The Congress strategy to bring down Barbosa-led PDF government, served as a launching pad for Ravi Naik in the state's political scene. Until, then Ravi Naik was member of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. Though an 'agreement' was arrived at between Ravi Naik and Dr Wilfred de Souza, now state NCP chief, supposedly in the presence of then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, according to which, the former was to hold the chair of chief minister for six months, the 'agreement' could not stand the test of time. Unfortunately for the veteran politician from Saligao, Gandhi was assassinated months later. By then Ravi Naik's image had already been sullied due to various decisions, he had taken during his tenure as chief minister. Interestingly, Ravi was supported then, by quite a few Congress leaders in the government. But it was these same leaders, who ganged up against him during the 1994 assembly elections and managed to defeat Ravi in Madkai constituency, during the polls in Movember that year. After being out of power for sometime, Ravi successfully contested Lok Sabha elections from North Goa defeating BJP candidate Pandurang Raut and MGP's Ramakant Khalap in 1997. As the Lok Sabha was dissolved, he later bounced back in state politics, winning from Ponda on Congress ticket. Ravi is known to be a politically volatile person, but one who works without giving an inkling to the others of what he has up his sleeves. As Opposition Leader, this time he led a split with four members from the Congress to join the BJP as deputy chief minister. Though his entry into the BJP, had shocked the party's cadre, particularly the RSS,top party leaders including Manohar Parrikar had brought about acculteration prcoess. During this phase there were more 'defectors' borrowed from other parties in the BJP, rather than its own legislators. It must be said, that Parrikar had experimented an unprecedented fusion with members belonging to disparate groups, having diametrically opposed ideologically leanings and instead of facing an impending coup, went in for dissolution of the assembly in February this year. Realistically speaking, Ravi was more important for the BJP taking into account the nuances of caste politics. Popularly tagged as a leader of Bhandari samaj considered as a strong vote bank Ravi had also portrayed himself as a mass-based leader. It was also for these same reasons, that he was considered important for the Congress in the past. It is not unsurprising, that Parrikar had allotted huge funds for PWD and also for Women and Child Developments - the departments which Ravi held. Besides, he had also given his deputy a free hand in the affairs of his departments. With today's development, it is Parrikar, who will feel most let down. For political reasons, cases initiated against some PWD engineers in the Vigilance Department are gathering dust. In Ponda - the constituency he represented in the dissolved house - much antagonism had arisen in the BJP ranks and this was very evident during the Ponda municipal polls held a few months ago. It was Parrikar who had stood by Ravi then, though one section of the BJP had openly revolted against the party decision and eventually Ravi had swept the polls. It was the same issue, which Ravi raised while submitting his resignation - that the party cadre was not co-operative with him. As reported by Herald two weeks ago, Ravi had been feeling uncomfortable following communal violence in Gujarat, as he was anticipating that minorities who form his main base, would not vote for him as BJP candidate. Whether this decision of the Congress re-admitting Ravi into the party fold is right or not, only time will tell. * * * The news, told as it is: http://www.freenewsgoa.net * * * ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ To unsubscribe from Goanews Send a mail message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: 'unsubscribe goanews'
