Goa politics without Parrikar is fragile

Goa politics will not be the same without Manohar Parrikar. The polity of the state has turned fragile without its charismatic leader.

A couple of decades ago, it was Parrikar, with his charisma and coalition-building skills, who brought stability to the the coastal state.

With both the Lok Sabha elections and the bypolls to three seats around the corner, Parrikar's death is sure to trigger a sympathy wave, while the lack of the political strategist that he is definitely a drawback.

As an MLA, leader of the Opposition, four-time chief minister and defence minister, Parrikar has left a strong legacy.

"He has good administrative and organisational skills and always carried a smile on his face. This was a big thing and he made a connect. Manohar Parrikar is Manohar Parrikar," said Ravindra Sathe, executive director of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, a socio-political training organistion based in Uttan near Mumbai.

Highly-placed sources in the Goa BJP and the Sangh Parivar said that of the Lok Sabha seats in the state, North Goa and South Goa, the latter was being perceived as difficult.

"Now we are confident that we will win both seats... one has to admit that a common Goan, cutting across ideology and party affiliation, had tremendous respect for Parrikar," a source said.

Senior journalist Shashwat Gupta Ray said that Goa politics will not be the same again. "Parrikar had a national image and took everyone along," Ray said.

Political analysts said the by-polls to the three seats of Mapusa, Mandrem and Shiroda will be very tough for the BJP.

The Lok Sabha polls in two seats and the bypolls to three seats are scheduled for April 23.

The Mapusa bypoll is taking place due to the death of BJP MLA Francis D'Souza.

The bypolls in Mandrem and Shiroda was made necessary as the MLAs there resigned from the Congress to join the BJP.