Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who has been elected by the people of Panaji five times, is confident he will win the Panaji constituency by-poll with a huge margin. What's the reason for his confidence? Pramod Acharya spoke to him to know
Pramod Acharya: How is your campaign for the by-poll getting along?
Parrikar: I have fought four-five elections in Panaji. I have stayed in this constituency for long periods and also when I was in Delhi for 28 months. I don't mind going to nooks and corners in order to meet everyone. The by-polls are an opportunity to talk to people.
Q: The opposition party has objected to the government formation by you without having a majority. Their criticism is that your alliance is unnatural. How do you react to this?
Parrikar: We won by a thumping majority in 2012, but at that time too we were in a natural alliance. Winning 16-17 seats doesn't mean majority. In this assembly elections BJP got 35% votes and Congress 28%. It means the voters didn't give majority to anyone but gave a scattered mandate. That's why we tied up with both like-minded as well as opposing parties and there is nothing wrong in it.
Q: In the last elections Vijay Sardessai, Rohan Khaunte along with Sudin Dhavalikar were very critical of the BJP, yet they tied up with the BJP to form the government and became ministers. How do you work together as this alliance is termed as unnatural?
Parrikar: Sudin Dhavalikar does not have any discord with me and the party. He had some differences with some people of the party. Before elections he had said he is happy with Manohar Parrikar and has said they are ready to support the BJP if Manohar Parrikar becomes CM. As a leader of independent party Vijay Sardessai had criticised the Congress and the BJP. The reason why everyone has came together is because I am the CM.
Q: It is said that there is "setting" between Babush and Parrikar. Is it true?
Parrikar: I lead Panjim and Babush is from Taleigao. We have fielded candidates in the St Cruz and Taleigao constituencies. Three wards from Taleigao fall into Panjim CCP. This is the one of the reasons why Babush sweeps the CCP elections. This is why we do not have "setting" between us.
Q: Congress has alleged that you are representing Panaji for last 23 years and yet many issues of the capital city are unresolved. The issue of parking and garbage is not yet solved. How would you react to this?
Parrikar: This is not true. They do not knowing the difference between present Panaji and Panaji 23 years ago. There was huge problem of water scarcity in Panaji and I also remember that people had carried out a towel march. Today, except in two-three places water is available everywhere
in Panaji.
Q: Were you waiting to come to Goa from Delhi or was it forced upon you? Was the situation created for your return to Goa?
Parrikar: I stayed in Goa till the age of 59. Due to my age it was impossible for me to stay in Delhi for long periods. I was in Delhi for 28 months. When compared to Goa, I had done 50% more work in Delhi. Defence budget was 25% bigger. However, naturally my liking was towards Goa and I have never hidden it. I had gone there as the nation needed me. But as the party did not get a majority in Goa, the Prime Minister and party president told me to return to Goa, so I returned.
