The inside story of how Digvijay Singh bungled the entire government formation exercise, paving the way for the BJP
"On that night of results, we had 21 MLAs together with us, the exact number required to form (a) government in Goa. But we did not stake claim at Raj Bhavan nor did we make any concrete commitments to the independents that had come forward to back us," a senior Congress leader in Goa grumbles.
Despite being the single largest party, and just four seats short of a simple majority, India's Grand Old Party failed spectacularly in forming a government in Goa after the recent Assembly elections. While the Congress' central leaders vacillated, the Bharatiya Janata Party snapped up independents to stake claim to the government. Details now trickling out of the Congress camp reveal tactical and strategic blunders by the then in-charge of the Congress in Goa, Digvijay Singh.
Pradesh Congress Committee chief Luizinho Faleiro openly blames Singh. "I prepared a letter staking claim to form the government on the same evening after the results. But Mr Singh told me to hold on. 'Let Governor call us, that's the norm,' he told us. We pleaded in front of him to forward the letter to Raj Bhavan. But he did not relent," claims Faleiro.
Multiple sources now confirm that Congress indeed had the numbers to form the government. Apart from 17 of its own MLAs, independent MLAs Prasad Gaonkar and Govind Gaude, Congress-backed independent Rohan Khaunte and lone NCP legislator Churchill Alemao were present in the Portuguese era Hotel Mandovi in Panaji where the Congress leadership had gathered for the next plan of action.
"A couple of the independent MLAs asked Digvijay Singh what ministries they would receive if a letter of support is given. Digvijay Singh did not give them any commitment. He just told them 'We will give you something; don't worry!' On the other side, BJP showered them with cabinet berths and other commitments," a senior PCC office bearer told DNA, on condition of anonymity.
By next morning, the BJP had decided to send then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar back to Goa. He was announced as their legislature party leader and all eyes were on the Congress. Digvijay Singh was expected to declare Congress Legislature Party leader at least by afternoon. BJP was into overdrive to cobble up the support.
"But he (Digvijay) did something unthinkable. He decided to hold secret ballot to elect a leader. We did not have majority. None of us were sure that a leader elected through secret ballot would be acceptable to our allies. It was a bad strategy. But what happened thereafter was the debauchery of worst kind. He held the secret ballot but did not declare the results. We were waiting for the tally till BJP marched onto the Rajbhavan with 21 MLAs to stake claim to form the government", says a senior Congress MLA in a frustrated tone.
The new desk in-charge of Goa Congress, Dr A Chellakumar also admits "tactical errors" during those initial 24 hours. He was in the thick of things as he was assisting Singh in the entire process as secretary in-charge of Goa. "The opinion was divided on staking claim. I wanted to give the letter. PCC President wanted to give the letter. But some people thought otherwise", he admits, albeit without naming Singh.
Sources present in Mandovi Hotel that night confirmed that senior Congressman and former union law minister Ramakant Khalap also advised Digvijay to forward the letter. But Singh allegedly did not pay any heed to these suggestions and eventually ended up handing over the chance to form the government to the BJP on a platter. Shortly after the Congress' debacle, Singh was removed as Goa in-charge
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