Contrary to the normal belief that what is loudly talked about never happens the Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Mr Digamber Kamat a Saraswat Brahmin tendered his resignation to the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly this morning at 10.32 am,IST after paying obeisance to the gods at a temple in Quepem.
Mr Naik who earlier returned from Jaipur in Rajashtan, where some MLAs of the BJP were hurdled away to avoid "poaching by INC MLAs" to attend the Delimitation of Constituencies Panel sitting in Goa took this opportunity to hobnob with the ruling INC and struck a deal. It is not immediately clear what triggered this volte face by Kamat coming as it did after having spoken out loud and clear against the INC members at a largely attended BJP meet at Azad Maidan Panaji on 1st February, 2005 i.e on the eve of the special sitting to test the majority on the floor of the Goa Legislative Assembly House on 2nd February 2005 , even his supporters in the BJP were spell bound by this move. But apparently the " pressure" from the Saraswat lobby headed by the Margao based new political outfit Lok Shakti under the leadership of realtor Datta D Naik and company and ex colleagues in the INC that must have played a decisive roll in this morning decision. As stated earlier by this writer the Goan Saraswat Brahmin lobby for the first time in the history of Goa Legislative Assembly found that none of its members were in the ruling INC led United Legislative Party headed "for the time being" by Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane and assuming that this would have "disastrous effects" viz no representation in the Government for their community prospects may have prevailed upon Mr Kamat to take this decisive stand even at the cost of tarnishing his otherwise fair image. Notwithstanding the sobriquet he had earned for himself as "naal Kamat" for his penchant to crush a coconut at every inaugural function under the erstwhile BJP led government. Even otherwise Mr Kamat has in the past turned to be a chameleon when he deserted the INC for not being granted a ticket and joined the BJP some years ago later he betrayed trusted friend MLA Mr Francisco Sardinha & ex CM while he was holidaying in "kangaroo country " Australia in October 2000 and the present move, which indeed least expected by the intelligentia from an otherwise "cultured" politician came as a shock to beleagured ex CM Manohar Parikar but having known his penchant for such round about turns Mr Parrikar had bestowed a near Dy CM status and was prominently present on all major ocassions even where he did not hold portfolio. Even the priests that this writer contacted were shocked with Mr Kamats move which they say ought to have come much earlier and not at this juncture. It is like hitting below the belt said a shocked nun who had on several ocassions admired the secular credentials of Mr Kamat even while in the BJP. This is no gentleman expectation said a senior citizen who may not live to see the next hustings but he was committed not to vote Mr Digamber Kamat again having voted for him thrice earlier. For Mr Kamat hailing from Margao Assembly Constituency often billed as the cradle of Goan politics after his mentor late Mr Anant Narcinva Naik (Babu) who roped him into politics in 1980 as Chairman of the Goa Agriculure Produce Marketing Corporation and later a Councillor of the Margao Municipal Council he felt that he had a still long way to go and to the seat of power as the Chief Executive of the state and with Parrikar safely entrenched in the seat of power he perhaps felt that sooner or later he would not be able to demand plum position . It may be recalled that after a sob look in the recent elections June 2002 Mr Kamat was given the same portfolios he held when the BJP led government formed its first government in October,2000 . Whether this move will call for others to follow suit is doubtful, but one thing is clear that the ruling INC led ULP combine will now find it difficult to accomodate, last minute entrants, and its own bandwagon of ex CMs ex Dy CMs ex Ministers multiple times and one time Ministers to the only twelve positions available --- distributing portfolios will be again another difficult move for 33 years experienced CM Pratapsing Rane . And as thing stands there is a strong rumour in the air that Mr Rane may just be warming the seats for the High Command appointed CM Mr Faleiro as it is at her (Madam Sonia Gandhis ) behest that her blue eyed boy was included in the Cabinet without seeking for himself portfolio until dooms day now 28th February, 2005 at 2.30 p.m. IST when there will be many dramatic changes but one thing is clear that President's Rule is the Vox Populi demand. In the meanwhile the citizens stand a mere spectator and the Governors role is coming in for sharper criticism for he had earlier stated when Mr Isidore Fernandes resigned to seek re-election from Poinguinin on a BJP ticket that any further resignations would invite dissolutions. Well the present 30 days time ending 2nd March 2005 to CM Rane to seek a vote of confidence on the floor of the House was a gift on the platter for the INC MLAs in the Opposition since October 2000 and horse trading. Yet the promised dissolution has not come about prompting many to demand the recall of this otherwise seasoned politician and INC senior veteran politician with a noble role in the North Eastern State of Nagaland. Meanwhile a big police force was deployed at the residence of MLA Mr Kamat at Margao as angry BJP activists condemn the betrayal at this crucial junction by a senior BJP MLA who spat venom at the INC even as late as last evening. With Parliament Budget session commencing tommorrow 25th February followed by the Railway budget on 26th Ferbruary and Union Budget on 28th February, 2005 , the happenings in Goa is bound to find repercussion in Parliament. Incidentally the case filed by Mr Parikar in the Supreme Court is also slated for orders on 28th February, 2005 the same day Mr Rane will test his majority. For the BJP the only alternative left is either to resign enmasse or get atleast two MLAs from the INC to resign so that either they continue in power or seek dissolution of the House. Granted if the earlier vote count of 18 - 6 which stands unchallenged by the INC is maintained there may be a constitutional crisis of sorts which the Governor may have to address. But what is rather suprising is that Mr Babush Monserrate Mr Micky Pacheco and the UGDP Adv Radharao Gracias have maintained a stoic silence on the recent developments. They were also not present at the INC led ULA meet at Lohia Maidan in Margao as widely expected. With the NCP expecting to gain two seats after the disqualification of Vasco da Gama and Siolim MLAs of the BJP there may be a changed equation. In any case with wafer thin majority it would be extremely difficult for the INC led ULA to manage the Budget expected by March, 2005 or a Vote of Account as an interim. Many whisper that for the INC they need to fill their coffers first having been out of power since October 2000 before they can think of any development or continue the ongoing developments therefore for the voters they may have to dig out Parrikars misdeeds until victory of the INC candidates at the bye elections before completing the remaining tenure until May 2007 So its just wait and watch and in this political drama the voters can merely remain as spectators for bad days are ahead in the Year of the Rooster. 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