How Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari beat Congress in Goa

MUMBAI: Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari disclosed to students of a management college on Thursday how decision-making was fasttracked to enable BJP to retain power in Goa despite the fact that the party had not secured a clear majority.

"In management, decision-making, and that too on priority, is significant. As in-charge of Goa, we took quick political decisions," Gadkari told students of Welingkar Institute of Man agement Studies on Thursday.

Providing a peek into the behind-the-scenes activity that preceded government formation in the state, he said he had been in touch with party president Amit Shah at every stage. BJP, faced with anti-incumbency, had managed to win just 13 seats against Congress's 17 in the 40-member assembly. "When the results came in, the party chief (Shah) called me up. We decided to meet at his residence in 3045 minutes," he told reporters.

"It was 7pm. I told him we don't have the support. He told me we have to form the government and asked me to go to Goa immediately," he said. What followed was a sleepless night for him, and the prospective allies said they would support BJP provided Manohar Parrikar returned to Goa and the NDA government cleared a few crucial projects.

"At 1.30am, MGP's Sudin Dhawlikar met me. We had a discussion. He pledged support. Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward Party came to meet (me) next," he said. "At 5am, they (MGP and GFP) put a condition - that they will support BJP only if Parrikar is made CM," Gadkari said.

"I woke up Amit Shah at 5.15am and conveyed this to him. I told him I am not able to decide and asked for his advice. He said, "The prime minister is sleeping right now." He said he would call the PM at 7am. He said if Parrikar were to be sent to Goa, the (BJP) parliamentary board would have to take a decision and Parrikar's wish would have to be considered," he said.

At 8.30am, Shah called Gadkari to say he spoke to the PM and others. "Everybody said that if we can form a government in Goa, and if Parrikar is ready, we should do so."

He said Congress woke up only after BJP submitted a list of MLAs along with letters of support. "It was unfortunate that Congress was crying foul. We have followed due democratic process," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)