In a sharp political critique, Goa's Power Minister and senior MGP leader, Ramakrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar, launched a vehement attack on the relatively new political entity, Revolutionary Goans (RG), labeling it as an outfit without direction or substantial contribution to the state.
A Stinging Dismissal from a Veteran
The Marcaim MLA, a seasoned figure in Goan politics, made his remarks on Friday, leaving no room for ambiguity in his assessment. He outright dismissed RG's political relevance, stating that their contribution to Goa's development has been negligible. "The contribution of RG to Goa is zero," Dhavalikar declared emphatically.
He further accused the party of adopting a purely obstructionist stance, claiming its primary activity is to stand against progress. "They are at the forefront only to oppose all proposed projects in the state," the minister alleged, questioning the group's constructive agenda.
Allegations of External Influence and a Grim Prediction
Dhavalikar did not stop at criticizing RG's public actions. He cast doubt on the party's autonomy and core objectives, suggesting its activities are not driven by an internal vision. The MGP leader claimed that RG functions without a clear, independent agenda and is instead guided by influences from outside the organization.
Issuing a stark warning, Dhavalikar predicted a bleak political future for the fledgling party. He drew a parallel with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which failed to make a significant mark in Goa's electoral landscape. "They will meet a fate worse than that of AAP in Goa," he asserted, implying that RG's decline could be more pronounced.
The Irony of Recent Electoral Performance
The minister's strong condemnation presents a striking contrast to the recent electoral performance of the parties involved. The context for this attack stems from the results of the December 20 Zilla Panchayat (ZP) elections, where RG emerged as a noticeable political force.
In a notable achievement, Revolutionary Goans secured approximately 10% of the overall vote share in the local body polls. This performance was significant enough to outpace three more established political outfits:
- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which garnered about 6%.
- The Goa Forward Party (GFP), which secured around 5%.
- Ironically, Dhavalikar's own Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), which managed only 4% of the vote share.
This electoral data adds a layer of complexity to Dhavalikar's remarks, as it highlights RG's growing influence among voters, at least at the grassroots level, while his own party trailed behind.
The public broadside from a sitting minister and senior political figure signals that established parties are beginning to view RG as a potential challenger. The attack, coming on the heels of RG's better-than-expected ZP election results, is widely seen as an attempt to discredit the new entrant before it can consolidate its gains. The political discourse in Goa is now poised to see how Revolutionary Goans responds to this high-profile criticism and whether it can translate its local body success into a broader political movement.
