RGP faces a fiery trial as internal disputes threaten unity within the young party
The Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), which is currently facing the threat of a split, may be yet another example of a regional party destroying itself due to internal differences between its leaders. In Goa itself, towering political parties like the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and the United Goans Party had faced splits in the past. Now, the action initiated by the RGP against its lone MLA, Viresh Borkar, and his supporters for alleged anti-party activities will be an ordeal by fire for the party.
The RGP was first founded as a non-governmental organisation in 2017 under the name Revolutionary Goans. The group later received recognition as a political party from the Election Commission of India on January 1, 2022. In its debut election, the party contested 38 seats in the 2022 state legislative assembly election, with Viresh Borkar winning from the St Andre constituency. Incidentally, the president of the party, Manoj Parab, who contested from Valpoi as well as Tivim, polled impressive votes in both these constituencies. In fact, he garnered 6,319 votes while contesting the election against the current Health Minister, Vishwajit Rane, who in turn got 14,066 votes.
Borkar kept the issue as regards the desired ‘Person of Goan Origin’ legislation alive in the legislative assembly. The issue has been the central component of the RGP’s platform and focused on protecting the rights of the person of Goan origin in respect of jobs, benefits of various government schemes, education, Communidade land, and so on. The MGP, under the command of the Dhavalikar brothers, has given support to the ruling party as alliance partner over the years, be it Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party. The Goa Forward Party tasted power for a short period and is now playing its role as an opposition party. RGP is the youngest regional party in the state, which was able to connect with the grassroots people.
Somehow, when the ride of success is in full speed, it is bound to be obstructed by setbacks. The same fate seems to have taken over the RGP. A couple of days ago Parab took to social media, accusing his legislator and some party members of playing dirty politics to take over control of the party. Borkar, in his cryptic message on his social media account, replied, “First came 39A…now come the side effects.” This short post is a clear indication that the fast unto death taken up by Borkar, seeking repeal of section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act, and the resulting hike in his popularity did not augur well with Parab. The social media standoff between the RGP leaders escalated further with the party’s St Andre block committee general secretary, Manoj Mashelkar, writing to the party’s general secretary, Vishvesh Naik, and condemning the statements made by Parab, Naik himself, and RGP treasurer Ajay Kholkar against Borkar and his staff.
The weekend press conferences addressed by both factions were nothing short of mudslinging. The accusations from both sides have already left a negative impression on the supporters of the RGP. The possible split in the party will no doubt devastate them. At a time when regional parties, including the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), are doing well in other parts of the country, Goan political parties seem to lack luck. Ironically, when Goa was liberated from the Portuguese rule and had to decide its democratic future, the Goans chose regional parties to sit on the treasury as well as the opposition benches. Politics, truly, is a system of great uncertainties!
