By Aires Rodrigues
While bull dozing through the draconian amendments to the Goa Lokayukta Act, the Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar tried every trick under his sleeve to defend and justify his wrong move. He went to the extent of saying that Governors are partisan and being political appointees could act as puppets of the Central government.
I can only remind Manohar Parrikar that when the BJP was ruling at the Centre we had BJP puppet Governors posted in Goa in Late Kidar Nath Sahani (26-10-2002 to 2-7-2004) and the earlier Mohammed Fazal (26-11-1999 to 25-10-2002)
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had during his election campaign last year promised that only professionals and not politicians would be appointed on all the Corporations and Boards. He has however overloaded them all with his political cronies despite some of them being tainted. Even the State Law Commission was not spared. The politician Chairman now stands charge sheeted with serious offences by the CBI.
There should definitely be a rethink in the manner Governors and Advocate Generals are selected and appointed. Only the best and the brightest should filter through.
Currently Goa is very fortunate to have Mr. B.V Wanchoo as Governor. A tall pro-active personality who does not carry any political stink whatsoever. And like him the last very competent and no nonsense Governor we had was Lt General J.F.R Jacob (19-4-1998 to 26-11-1999)
On the current Advocate General the less said the better. After having defended the mining lobby, Casinos and the builders, how can he now fairly advise the Goa Government on these vital issues? Even after taking over as Advocate General he continues to be the legal brain for the mining magnates. It can not get any worse as far as the First Law officer of our State is concerned.
