from Special Correspondent
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (AF)
Panaji, Jan 21: Goa, the state which saw 16 chief ministers in last twenty years and President's rule twice, is ostensibly marred with political crisis or by-elections almost every year due to the hung assembly thrown by the voters.
This erstwhile Portuguese colony which was liberated from colonial rule in 1963 had three chief ministers till 1987 when it attained statehood. But post-statehood, the state saw immense politicking and instability resulting in 16 chief minister ruling the state for last twenty years.
Pratapsingh Rane of Congress himself has been a five-time chief minister of this state since liberation and has ruled for over three decades. Except Rane's tenure, all other chief ministers, including BJP's Manohar Parrikar, saw their tenure being cut short in a political coup against them.
Intense politicking and turmoil has forced centre to intervene and impose President's rule in this state twice – first for four months in 1999 and for the second time for three months in 2005.
The possibility of President's rule is also not being ruled out in the current crisis when Digamber Kamat-led government has plunged into crisis. A group of nine legislators – three NCP, Two MGP while one each of Save Goa Front, Independent, Congress and United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) – have raised banner of revolt seeking better share in the government.
Goa, the state on the west coast, a famous beach destination, and a Portuguese colony for almost 450 years, saw regional parties ruling immediately after the first-ever Goa state legislative assembly election on December 9, 1963. In the then 30-seat house, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party (MGP) led by Dayanand Bandodkar won majority forming the government.
MGP's Bandodkar, labeled as one of the best chief ministers Goa had, ruled till 1973 and later reigns were handed over to his daughter Shashikala Kakodkar who successfully ruled the state till 1979.
The 1980 elections saw Goa's political history being changed with Congress sweeping the polls and installing Pratapsingh Rane as the chief minister. Rane, former MGP leaders, had switched over sides and got himself established in the Congress set up.
Rane continued even after 1984 elections with Congress gaining majority. It was under Rane's chief ministership that Goa got statehood and assembly was allowed to continue till 1989.
The 1989 elections marked political instability in the state as since then, none of the parties have been able to get clear majority. The assembly was enhanced to 40 seats and 21 became a magical figure.
A slight change of loyalty by a legislator would pull down the government. Goa saw unexpected and historical alliances with one point of time, a breakaway Congress faction joining hand with rival BJP to form the government. In 1999, Fransisco Sardinha, a die-hard Congress loyalist and current Goa Congress chief, had then formed his own group, Goa Rajiv Congress and formed government toppling Congress chief minister Luizinho Faleiro with BJP's support.
Sardinha ruled for less than a year before he was dethroned by BJP itself. The elections that were imposed in the state after Sardinha's toppling saw BJP ruling the state with the help of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
Goa has also inked a few of the rarest of rare instances in politics. Congress' Ravi Naik became one amongst the shortest surviving chief minister in 1994 when he ruled the state only for seven days.
With no solution worked out for the current political crisis, it is to be seen whether Congress manages to salvage its government or this political coup would impose another government adding up to the tally of chief ministers in the state.