MAPUSA
The recent election of Dayanand Karbotkar as the BJP's North Goa District President reflects the party’s intricate and strategic approach to organisational politics.
Karbotkar, a loyal karyakarta and former mandal president of Mayem constituency, was chosen after an intense deliberation process to achieve consensus among aspirants.
However, beneath the veneer of harmony lies a complex interplay of factors such as loyalty, caste dynamics and power structures within the party.
Structured yet strategic process
The BJP prides itself on its well-oiled organisational machinery.
Elections to party positions, including district presidents, are preceded by months of planning. The process involves selecting a mandal delegate from each constituency, with core committees of 8-10 members from each of North Goa’s 20 constituencies making the initial choices.
These 20 delegates then elect the district president.
While this structure ensures transparency and grassroots involvement, it also allows for strategic maneuvering.
Party leaders work tirelessly to broker consensus among aspirants to ensure that key posts are filled unopposed, avoiding public clashes that could weaken the party’s image.
Balancing caste and political strategy
One of the key factors influencing Karbotkar’s election was the BJP's focus on caste equations, a crucial aspect of Goa’s political landscape.
The Bhandari community constitutes a significant voting bloc in the State, and Karbotkar’s selection is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the party’s appeal among this community ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
In addition to caste considerations, Karbotkar’s proximity to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant reportedly played a decisive role.
His appointment reflects the internal power dynamics of the party, where alignment with influential leaders often determines the outcome of elections to key posts.
Other aspirants and power blocks
The contest for the North Goa District President was not devoid of competition. Other strong contenders, such as BJP’s social media convenor Rupesh Kamat and outgoing district committee General Secretary Rajsingh Rane, were in the fray.
Despite their credentials, Karbotkar’s loyalty to the party and his alignment with the leadership tilted the scales in his favour.
Senior party leaders worked behind the scenes to convince workers and aspirants to rally behind a single candidate, thereby presenting a unified front. While this approach minimises dissent, it also highlights the influence of power blocks within the party, where elected MLAs and ministers often push for candidates who align with their interests.
Managing dissent and ensuring stability
Although the process strives for consensus, some level of dissatisfaction among party workers is inevitable.
However, the BJP’s organisational culture emphasises discipline and acceptance of the leadership’s decisions.
“Take it or leave it” seems to be the underlying mantra for party workers when it comes to key appointments.
Senior leaders are also mindful of the potential risks posed by discontented MLAs or ministers, who could defect to rival parties.
To mitigate such risks, the party ensures that its committees include loyal karyakartas who remain steadfast, regardless of political turbulence.
Strategic appointment for 2027
Karbotkar’s appointment is a calculated decision aimed at consolidating the BJP’s support base in North Goa while balancing internal power dynamics.
The process highlights the party’s ability to combine grassroots engagement with top-down strategic decision-making.
As the BJP gears up for the 2027 assembly elections, this move underscores its commitment to maintaining organisational cohesion and leveraging every advantage to stay ahead in Goa’s competitive political landscape.
